I

Baseline Report, 2011 Baseline Study on the Status, Family and

Socio-Economic Conditions of Persons with

Disabilities in Bawku West District

BAWKU WEST DISTRICT ASSEMBLY

i

Bawku West District September 2011

Baseline Study on the Status, Family and

Socio-Economic Conditions of Persons with

Disabilities in Bawku West District

Led and prepared by

Monaliza V. Calapini Gender Development Advisor

VSO Volunteer Bawku West District Assembly

Prepared for

Department of Social Welfare Bawku West District

Zebilla Upper East Region

GHANA

Supported by

World Vision Ghana ADP-Bawku West Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)

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© Bawku West District Assembly Copyright 2011 All rights reserved. Published 2011 Printed in Ghana Bawku West District Assembly Department of Social Welfare P.O. Box 1 Bawku West District Zebilla Upper East Region GHANA Telephone: Fax: E-mail: bawkuwest@ghanadistricts.gov.gh bawkuwest.socialwelfare@hotmail.com Website: www.bawkuwest.ghanadistricts.gov.gh This study has been funded and supported by World Vision Ghana Bawku West ADP and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) - Ghana This report is available electronically in PDF and HTML formats on Bawku West District Assembly website: www.bawkuwest.ghanadistricts.gov.gh

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Table of Contents Bawku West District Assembly © Bawku West District Assembly Table of contents Iii List of tables Iv List of Figures V List of abbreviations and acronyms Vi Preface Vii Acknowledgements Viii Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Chapter I: Context in which disabled persons live 4 1.1 The geography, socio-economy and socio-demography of Bawku West District 4 1.2 Definition of disability 8 1.3 Development Context 9 Chapter II: Policies, legislations and legal framework of Ghana in mainstreaming disability 11 2.1 Disability Policies in Ghana 11 2.2 The Disability Act 12 Chapter III: Findings of the study 14 3.1 Personal characteristics of respondents 14 3.1.1 Marital status 15 3.1.2 Religious affiliation 16 3.1.3 Registration status 18 3.2 Socio-economic condition 19 3.2.1 Current schooling status and educational attainment 19 3.2.2 Occupation, employment and labor market for Persons with Disabilities 23 3.2.3 Housing conditions and facilities 26 3.2.4 Properties/ materials owned 32 3.3 Socio-demographic condition 37 3.3.1 Age group distribution 37 3.3.2 Household living arrangements 38 3.3.3 Family members who left abroad 39 3.4 Organizational affiliation 40 3.5 Nature, causes and treatment of disability 42 3.6 Health condition 46 3.7 Health care 51 3.8 Government role as seen by Persons with Disabilities 55 3.8.1 Assistance from local government 59 3.8.2 Awareness of laws, policies and legislations that is supportive of PWDs 60 3.9 Children and Women with disabilities 63 3.9.1 Children with disabilities 63 3.9.2 Women with disabilities 69 Chapter IV: Conclusion and recommendations 74 4.1 Conclusion 74 4.2 Recommendations 75 Chapter V: Institutions involved in disability work in Ghana 77 List of References 83 Appendices 84 Appendix 1. List of personnel involved in the survey Appendix 2. Persons with Disability Act 715, 2006 Appendix 3. Baseline survey tool

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List of Tables

Table 1. Objectives of the Disability Act

Table 2. Zone composition and sex distribution

Table 3. Percentage according to age distribution by sex

Table 4. Religious affiliation of PWDs

Table 5. Educational attainment, status and reason of

discontinuation and inability to attend school

Table 6. Top five (5) appliances owned by PWDs

Table 7. Total of PWDs raised/ owned livestock/ poultry

Table 8. Percentage according to crops produced by PWDs

and other households

Table 9. Vehicles owned/ used by PWDs

Table 10. Household condition of PWDs according to structure, relation

to dwelling and source of income

Table 11. Awareness of laws, legislations, policies supportive of PWDs

and sources of information

Table 12. Nature, causes and treatment of disabilities of PWDs

Table 13. Health condition of PWDs and other family members

Table 14. Health care status and payment system

Table 15. Suggestions of PWDs addressed to local government on

how they can help the PWDs

Table 16. Perceived roles of the local government in relation to regional

and/or country in general

Table 17. Aspiration as a person and for community and society as a whole

Table 18. PWDs wish to be the state of District‟s local economy

Table 19. Dreams of WDs to be the condition of District‟s

natural environment

Table 20. PWDs‟ desired role in local governance

Table 21. Percentage of children with disability reported by their mother or

caretaker according to type of disability

Table 22. Nature of disability and health condition of children with

disabilities

Table 23. Nature of disability and health condition of women with

disabilities

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List of Figures

Figure 1. Percentage according to marital status by sex

Figure 2. Percentage according to religious affiliation

Figure 3. Percentage according to educational status and attainment

Figure 4. Percentage according to educational level by sex

Figure 5. Percentage of PWDs who have desire to return to formal school

Figure 6. Percentage according to registration status of PWDs in the

Department Social Welfare

Figure 7. Percentage according to occupation and sex distribution

Figure 8. Percentage according to household living arrangement

Figure 9. Percentage of PWDs owned appliances/ consumer durables

Figure 10. Percentage of livestock/ poultry raised/ owned by PWDs including

other households

Figure 11. Percentage according to land owned by PWDs by size

Figure 12. Percentage according to housing condition

Figure 13. Percentage according to source of potable and domestic water

Figure 14. Percentage according to source of power in the household

Figure 15. Percentage according to garbage disposal system

Figure 16. Percentage of PWDs who have family members abroad

Figure 17. Percentage according to organizational affiliation

Figure 18. Percentage according to awareness of disability policies,

legislations or laws

Figure 19. Percentage according to sources of information

Figure 20. Percentage according to support acquired from the government

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List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

AACT Autism Awareness Care and Training Centre

CDD Center for Democratic Development

GAB Ghana Association of the Blind

GFD Ghana Federation of Disabled

GNAD Ghana National Association of the Deaf

GPRS Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy

GSPD Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled

GSS Ghana Statistical Service

HIRD High Impact Rapid Delivery

ILO International Labor Organization

LEAP Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty

MDG Millennium Development Goal

NHIS National Health Insurance Scheme

OPWD Organizations of Persons with Disabilities

PACID Parents Association of Children with Intellectual Disability

PWD Persons with Disabilities

CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child

UNCRPD United Nation Convention on the Rights of PWDs

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific

and Cultural Organization

VSO Voluntary Service Overseas

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Preface

This report presents results of the Baseline Study on the Status, Family and

Socio-Economic Conditions of Persons with Disabilities in Bawku West District

conducted from June to September, 2011 to provide indicators for Persons

with Disabilities Programmes. The study is a paramount programme of the

District Assembly as Persons with Disabilities are concerned. The survey was

initiated by the Bawku West Social Welfare Department with support from

World Vision Ghana, Bawku West ADP, Voluntary Service Overseas-Ghana and

Bawku West District Assembly.

The study responds to the need to have baseline data to support the

implementation of disability programmes in Bawku West District. It was

designed to provide district level indicators to capture and monitor progress

on issues relating to persons with disabilities in the District. Furthermore, the

baseline study was developed within the framework of Ghana Poverty

Reduction Strategy that identifies ineffective and insufficient safety nets in

health, education and welfare provisions as a key cause of poverty especially

for persons with disabilities who are considered as poorest and most

vulnerable in Ghana due to negative social and cultural behavior.

The survey findings provide a wealth of data to enhance the effectiveness of

programme implementation and for monitoring the situation of persons with

disabilities in general and in particular in the context of The Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs).

James A. Ayesake District Director

Department of Social Welfare

Bawku West District

Zebilla

viii

Acknowledgement

The successful execution of this Baseline Study of Persons with Disabilities in

Bawku West District was due to the invaluable support from institutions,

organizations and individuals to whom we owe a great deal of gratitude.

The Bawku West District Assembly, through the Department of Social Welfare,

initiated the project and the World Vision Ghana Bawku West ADP

organization provided funding for the study. We appreciate their effort in

helping us to implement this initiative.

We are also grateful to Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) for the immense

and diverse contribution ranging from provision of expertise, technical

assistance and logistical support. Ms. Monaliza V. Calapini, Gender

Development Advisor, a VSO Volunteer assign in Bawku West District was the

leader and writer of this study.

We are thankful to the Bawku West District Assembly (BWDA) for the support

in photocopying the questionnaires.

We acknowledge the Community Development Department of Bawku West

District for its substantial contribution to the survey, releasing staff to

participate in fieldwork.

We are thankful to the entire project staff of the survey, the District Director

of Social Welfare Department, Mr. James A. Ayesake; District Social Welfare

Staff, Edward A. Akiribila; District Community Development Staff, Samuel

Awinzor; and Student on Attachment , Apanga A. Grace for their immense

contribution to the implementation of the study.

We appreciate the support of other VSO Volunteers, Raj Kumar Prasad and

Nancy Keith for their tireless support, dedication and professionalism and

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other contribution in different phases of the study that has produced a very

good quality of data.

The contribution of other individuals, particularly the officers of Ghana

Federation of Disabled Persons in Bawku West District, who worked behind

the scene in various ways to assist the survey team, is acknowledged. Their

names have been printed in the appendix in recognition of their contribution.

We thank the contributors to the survey and this report for the good work

done. Their names have been mentioned individually in the report.

The final and sincere thanks go to all study respondents who prepared

themselves to be interviewed and contributed to the success of the Baseline

Study on the Status, Family and Socio-Economic Condition of Persons with

Disabilities in Bawku West.

1

Executive Summary

The Baseline Study on the Status, Family and Socio-economic Condition of

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Bawku West District aims to contribute to

research on the common and general situation of PWDs and the problems they

face. The study also attempts to find solutions to these problems and future

challenges.

In Ghana, a simple look at different projects aimed at mainstreaming various

vulnerable groups reveals evidence of how society is trying to reduce poverty.

Apart from wealth, human development encompasses a long lifespan, access to

health care, enjoyment of human rights and fundamental liberties. It includes the

possibility of easily obtaining a basic education as well as securing a certain level

of security.

Since the Ghana independence, the above mentioned components of human

development were part of both individual and collective efforts to improve the

standard of living standard for Ghanaians.

The government of Ghana set the availability of services in order to eradicate the

marginalization of persons with disabilities. Rehabilitation services, special schools

and centres were created in different places. However, they are not sufficient

compared to the demand. These services should be included in hospitals, schools

and within administratively decentralized structures such as at sector levels.

Different ministries are legally required to take actions to ensure the welfare of

PWDs. The strategy to strengthen the well-being of PWDs is to mainstream them

in the existing system and establishing concrete provision of services including

instituting special centres.

In Ghana, inclusion of persons with disabilities directly contributes to the

achievement of global development objectives enshrined in Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs).

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Introduction

Human development has been the main objective for every society and

particularly for developing societies. A simple look at different projects aimed at

mainstreaming various vulnerable groups in Bawku West reveals evidence of how

society is trying to reduce poverty. Apart from wealth, human development

encompasses a long lifespan, access to health care, enjoyment of human rights

and fundamental liberties. It includes the possibility of easily obtaining a basic

education as well as securing a certain level of security.

This report is based on the baseline survey with PWDs at the district level, carried

out by Bawku West Department of Social Welfare, in partnership with World Vision

and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). The survey was based on the evaluation

of status, family and socio-economic condition of PWDs particularly the women

and children with disabilities. The study area covered the eleven (11) zones of

Bawku West District in Upper East Region.

The study was conducted on the basis of the need to have a baseline data to help

the policymakers, service providers, facilitators, advocates, catalyst and

orchestrators in mainstreaming PWDs in development.

In the last decades, several donor-specific programmes and projects have been

implemented in Ghana. The level of implementation differed from one donor to

another at the national, regional and district level. Accordingly, many international

organizations aim to improve the condition of women, children and PWDs.

Given the marginalization of persons with disabilities of all ages with any form of

disability continues to be an obstacle and to achieve the full and accelerated

implementation of the national social development action plan. PWDs can take

their rightful place in the community through gaining increased access to available

programs and services of the government and other resource institutions. This

situation constrained the PWDs mostly the women and children to enjoy their full

potentials as human beings and as a part of society.

3

Based on the High Impact Rapid Delivery Survey conducted by Ghana Statistical

Service, in Ghana, persons with physical disability are estimated to be

approximately ten percent (10%) of the total population. It indicates that PWDs

constitute a significant portion of Ghana‟s population, and promotion of improve

and quality life and living conditions of PWDs signify an important obligation of

government and its partners including other institution working on PWDs.

Hence, recognizing the need of PWDs to achieve equal enjoyment of all human

rights and development for all is therefore a call to address and take into account

in all policy-making, programming of the government and its partners.

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of study on the status, family and

socio-economic condition of PWDs in Bawku West District. Given the short

timescale of the study, which was conducted over a three (3) month period

between June to September 2011, the review of policy, official statistics and

research could not be exhaustive. However, we hope that it provides an overview

of existing knowledge about disabled people in Bawku West District, the linkages

between different areas of social policy and other institutions.

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CHAPTER 1

Context in which Persons with Disabilities’ live

Chapter 1 contains the study about disability in Bawku West which is

contextualized under the aspects of socio-economy and geography of Bawku West

District. It emphasizes the context in which persons with disabilities (PWDs) live.

Likewise, it also includes the definition of disability and associations and centres

working with disability in Ghana particularly in Bawku West District.

The geography, socio-economy and demography of Bawku West

District

A. GEOGRAPHY1

1) Location and size

The Bawku West District lies within the

Upper East Region of Ghana. It was

carved out of old Bawku District under the

new local government system in 1988. It

lies roughly between latitudes 100 30‟N

and 110 10‟N, and between longitudes 00

20‟E and 00 35‟E.

The District shares boundaries with Burkina Faso in the North, Bawku Municipality

to the East, Talensi/Nabdam District to the West and East Mamprusi District to the

South.

Two important tributaries of the Volta River namely the White and Red Volta ran

contiguous to the Districts‟ Eastern and Western boundaries respectively. The

District covers an area of approximately 1,070 square kilometers, which

1 MOFA Website

5

constitutes about 12% of the total land area of the Upper East Region. It is the

fifth biggest district in the Upper East Region in terms of land area.

2) Topography and Drainage

The relief of the district is

generally flat to gently

undulating with slopes ranging

from 1-5%. These plains are

broken in some places by hills or

ranges formed from either

outcrops of Birimian rocks

(greenstones) or granite

intrusions. These ranges lie

along the border with Burkina-

Faso, north of Zebilla, and turn south-west from the Red Volta north of Nangodi in

the Talensi/Nabdam district. The granite areas are generally low to gently rolling

(120-255m a.s.1).

The District is drained by both the White and Red Volta and their tributaries. The

rivers over flow their banks during the rainy season (April-October). During the

dry season there is always an inflow of water from the Bagre dam which makes it

possible for farmers to pump for irrigation from the White Volta. The flow from

Bagna dam also causes flooding in the District destroying farms and houses.

3) Climate

The general climate of the district can be summarized by the long-term records at

Manga-Bawku Agricultural station, which are very representative of the Bawku

West District. The area experiences a unimodal rainfall regime lasting 4 to 6

months and a long dry period of 6 to 8 months in a year.

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4) Environmental Situation

The natural environment is highly degraded by land clearing for farming, fuel

wood harvesting, overgrazing, bush fire and harvesting of poles for construction.

The gold deposits found in the rocks north of Zebilla and south of Sapelliga has

increased the desire for mining by the youth. This is very clear in the Widna –

Teshie zone where illegal surface mining and stone quarrying are prevalent

resulting in serious land degradation and the pollution of surface water bodies.

B. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS2

1) Labour Force

The Bawku West District has a total labour force of 133,889 who are engaged in

agricultural and non-agricultural activities. Out of this population, 80% are

actively involved in agricultural production with the remaining engaged in other

activities. The District has an active farming population of 107, 111 farmers made

up of 48,930 males and 58,181 females engaged in agricultural production. The

demand for labour is at its peak in the rainy season for most of the farming

activities. The youth is the major source of the causal labour that can be tapped

for both agriculture and non agriculture jobs.

2) Agriculture

Agriculture plays an important role in the socio economic development of the

Bawku West District. It provides incomes and employment for over 80% of the

population. The total cultivable area is 58,406 hectares and uncultivable area of

33,687. The principal agricultural produce in Bawku West are:

Tree Crops: Mangoes, Cashew.

Industrial Crops: Sheanut trees, Tomatoes, Soyabean, Dawadawa, Rice.

Roots & Tubers: Sweet potatoes, Frafra potatoes.

Cereals : Millet, Sorghum, Maize, Rice.

Fruits & Vegetables: Onions, Tomatoes, Pepper, Okra, Leafy vegetables,

Watermelon.

2 MOFA Website

7

Legumes : Cowpea, Soyabean, Bambara nuts, Groundnuts.

Almost ninety eight percent (97.7%) PWDs in Bawku West are involved in

agricultural activities particularly faming.

3) Livestock

Apart from crop production, livestock and poultry rearing is the second most

important agricultural activity undertaken by farmers in the District. The

production is largely at subsistence level. The livestock reared include, cattle,

sheep, goats, pigs and donkeys, while the poultry are guinea fowls, fowls, ducks

and turkeys.

C. DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS3

The demographic characteristics in Bawku West District include large household

sizes, high illiteracy rates, that is, about 80 percent in the southern part of the

district, high birth and fertility rates.

1) Age and Sex Distribution of Population

The district has a total usual resident population of 38,034 in 2000 according to

the 2000 Population and Housing Census and this represents 24 percent increase

over the 1984 Census figure of 66,973. The population of the district is 9.0

percent of the total population of the Upper East Region and this is about 0.3

percent increase over the 1984 Census figure.

3 MOFA Website

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Definition of Disability

1. GHANAIAN PERSPECTIVE4

a. Government definition

Disability means a person has a problem with a part of the

body or mind.

b. Societal classification

A person who is deformed as a punishment from the god or

from his /her own misdeeds or for the misdeeds of his /her

families.

PWD in Ghana are identified by their disabilities and not by

their name.

PWDS are disgrace/stigma to families

PWDS cannot do anything (liabilities)

PWDS are objects of scorn and pity

2. UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Convention adopts a social model of disability, and defines disability as

including:

those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory

impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full

and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

4 Rehabilitation Centre – Kumasi, Department of Social Welfare

9

Development Context

Disability is a critical human rights

issue. Each person is entitled to

quality of life. It is estimated

approximately six hundred million

persons with disabilities live in

developing world. By World Bank

statistics almost 3.5 billion people

are directly affected by having a

family member who has a disability.

It is then the responsibility of

nations to highlight in their Social Development Agenda the challenge of

extending persons with disabilities what is due to them as human beings.5

The 2002 Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) identifies inadequate and

ineffective safety nets in health, education and welfare provision as a key cause of

poverty. Persons with disabilities are among the poorest and most vulnerable in

Ghana due to the combination of lack of safety net provision together with

prevailing negative social and cultural behaviors. Stigma, discrimination and lack

of economic opportunities also make them more susceptible to HIV infection and

vulnerable to the impact of HIV and AIDS. 6

The government of Ghana has articulated its acceptance of social responsibility for

persons with disabilities by enshrining in the Constitution a provision...” that

persons with disabilities shall be protected against exploitation, all regulations and

all treatment of discrimination, abusive and degrading nature.” Practical reflection

of the government of Ghana‟s commitment is expressed in the National Disability

Policy, which outline its mission as:7

5 VSO Ghana Disability Programme Area Plan

6 VSO Ghana Disability Programme Area Plan

7 VSO Ghana Disability Programme Area Plan

10

1. To enact appropriate legislation, and make functional existing ones, to

promote full integration of persons with disabilities into the national

economy and to protect their rights as citizens of Ghana as defined by

the Standard Rules of the Equalization for Person with Disability;

2. To create an enabling environment for person with disabilities to

promote their economic well being and enhance their capacity to

perform better to improve their socio-economic status; and

3. To create awareness of the plight of persons with disabilities and to

improve national support (including the use of local resources) to

promote their welfare.

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CHAPTER 2

Policies, legislations and legal framework of Ghana in

mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities

Chapter 2 presented the policies, legislations and legal framework of Ghana in

mainstreaming disability.

Legal framework of mainstreaming disability in Ghana: PERSONS WITH DISABILITY ACT 715, 2006

A. Disability Policies in Ghana

The 1992 Constitution guarantees certain basic rights for PWDs. These include the

right to live with their families or with foster parents and to participate in social,

creative or recreational activities and the right not to be subjected to differential

treatment in respect of their residence other than that required by their condition

or by the improvement which they may derive from the treatment. PWDs are also

guaranteed protection against all exploitation and treatment of a discriminatory,

abusive or degrading nature. In addition, every place to which the public have

access shall as far as practicable have appropriate facilities for PWDs. Provision is

also made for special incentives to be given to PWDs engaged in business and

also to business organizations that employ PWDs in significant numbers. To give

effect to these rights of PWDs, the Constitution further mandates Parliament to

enact such laws as are necessary to ensure their enforcement. Thus far, the

Persons with Disability Act 715 remain the main enactment in this regard.8

8 VSO, Attitudes towards Disability in Ghana 2009, p.24-25.

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B. The Disability Act

The process of developing a

policy on disability has been

long and tedious. Cabinet

passed the National Disability

Policy Document in December

2000. The Disability Act was

finally passed in June 2006.

The Disability Act guarantees

PWDs access to public places,

free general and specialist

medical care, education, employment and transportation (see table 5 for the main

objectives of the Act). It also regulates the commitments and other

responsibilities of public and private service providers. The transitional period of

the Act makes provision for a 10-year moratorium for compliance with the

provisions on access and mobility because of the substantial investment needed

to make all existing public infrastructure disability-friendly.

The Act established the National Council on Persons with Disability with the goal

of proposing and evolving policies and strategies to enable PWDs to enter and

participate in the mainstream of the national development process of Ghana. The

official inauguration of the Council has taken place on 7 April 2009. The Council is

made up of high-ranking representatives from a number of key ministries as well

as from OPWDs and organizations or institutions working for PWDs. The Council

will coordinate overall disability related activities in Ghana and function as advisor

to the government on disability issues. The council will also act as a watchdog and

monitor the implementation of the Disability Act.

13

Public knowledge of the Disability Act is low, even among PWDs themselves. This

makes it hard for them to make use of the provisions under the Act. According to

CDD, both government and OPWDs should raise awareness of the Act.

Table 1. Objectives of the Disability Act9

To educate Ghanaians on the rights, potentials and responsibilities of

both society and PWDs

To generate and disseminate relevant information on disability

To create an enabling environment for the full participation of PWDs in

national development

To ensure access of PWDs to education and training at all levels

To facilitate the employment of PWDs in all sectors of the economy

To promote disability friendly roads, transport, and housing facilities

To ensure access of PWDs to effective health care and adequate

medical rehabilitation services

To ensure that women with disabilities enjoy the same rights and

privileges as their male counterparts

To ensure that law enforcement personnel in cases of arrest, detention,

trial and confinement of PWDs take into account the nature of their

disabilities

To encourage full participation of PWDs in cultural activities

To ensure access of PWDs to the same opportunities in recreational

activities and sports as other citizens

To promote CBR programmes as a means of empowering and ensuring

the full participation of PWDs in society

9 Attitudes Towards Persons with Disabilities in Ghana

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CHAPTER 3

Findings of the study

Chapter 3 explores on the findings of the different conditions of persons with

disabilities (PWDs) in areas of Binaba, Gbantongo, Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore,

Sapeliga, Tanga, Teshie, Tilli, Timonde, Widnaba, Zebilla and Zongoyire.

The chapter identified nature, causes, status, health, family conditions of PWDs.

Likewise, the discussion also uncovers their socio-economic and demographic

characteristics, their experience and most of all, the effect of disability in their

daily life as housewives, husband, children, individuals and their relationships with

their respective spouses, family members and community. Furthermore, it also

present notion of community about their viewed towards PWDs.

I. Personal Characteristics

A total of 795 PWDs interviewed from the eleven (11) zones of Bawku West

District viz. Binaba (4.4%), Gbantongo (8.1%), Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore (10.7%),

Sapeliga/Googo (16.4%), Tanga (5.9%), Teshie (10.7%), Tilli (3.8%), Timonde

(6.3%), Widnaba (8.8%), Zebilla (2.3%) and Zongoyire (22.8%). Among the

respondents, 57% are female and 43% are males.

Table 2. Zone Composition and Sex Distribution

SEX COMMUNITY ZONES TOTAL

Binaba Gbanto

ngo

Saka/

Yikurugu/

Kobore

Sapeliga/

Googo

Tanga Teshie Tilli Timonde Widnaba Zebilla Zongoyire

Female 16 31 59 76 26 45 21 28 39 8 104 453

Male 19 33 26 54 21 40 9 22 31 10 77 342

GENERAL

TOTAL

35

(4.4%)

64

(8.1%)

85

(10.7%)

130

(16.4%)

47

(5.9%)

85

(10.7%)

30

(3.8%)

50

(6.3%)

70

(8.8%)

18

(2.3%)

181

(22.8%)

795

(100%)

15

Marital Status

Fifty seven percent of PWDs are married, 17.6% are single while 1.1% is

divorced. The widowed is 24.3% which were noted in 11 zones. Analyzed by sex,

widowed women (19.5%) are higher than widowed men (5.2%).

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

Single Married Widowed Divorced

Female 8.9% 28.4% 19.1% 0.5%

Male 8.7% 28.6% 5.2% 0.6%

Marital Status of PWDs

Figure 1. Percentage according to marital status by Sex

16

Religious Affiliation

Three main religious groupings of PWDs found in the district are: Traditional

(51.9%), Christian (26.4%) and Islam (14.1%). Zongoyire has the highest

proportion of Traditionalists (17.2%) followed by the Teshie, Sapeliga/ Googo

zones (6.7%). The lowest proportion of Traditional followers is in Tilli (0%) where

Christianity is the predominate religion (2.3%). Other respondents had no

answers (7.5%).

Given the strong traditional culture in Bawku West, analysis showed that some

respondents, when seeking treatment, give primary importance to the role of

ancestors and local divinities with (1.9%) seeking traditional treatment for their

disabilities. Different culture view disability quite differently and that affects the

way the PWDs see themselves and their hope for treatment.

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%

Christian

Muslim

Traditionalist

No response

Christian Muslim Traditionalist No response

Female 15.8% 8.7% 27.8% 4.7%

Male 10.6% 5.4% 24.2% 2.9%

Figure 2. Percentage according to religious affiliation

17

Table 4. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION OF PWDs

Percentage of PWDs according to religious affiliation by sex and area,

Bawku West District, 2011

Christian Muslim Traditionalist No response Total

Sex

Male 10.3% 5.7% 23.5% 3.5% 43.00%

Female 15.3% 8.7% 26.2% 6.8% 57.00%

Zone

Binaba 2.1% - 2.3% - 4.4% Gbantongo 2.8% 0.1% 5.0% 0.1% 8.0%

Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore 2.6% 3.4% 4.3% 0.4% 10.7%

Sapeliga/Googo 2.3% 6.8% 6.7% 0.6% 16.4%

Tanga 2.5% 0.6% 0.9% 1.9% 5.9%

Teshie 3.3% 0.5% 6.7% 0.3% 10.8%

Tilli 2.3% 0.4% - 1.1% 3.8%

Timonde 1.4% 0.4% 4.5% - 6.3%

Widnaba 3.9% 0.3% 4.3% 0.4% 8.9%

Zebilla 1.1% 0.9% 0.1% 0.1% 2.2%

Zongoyire 2.1% 0.8% 17.2% 2.6% 22.7%

Area

Village 25.3% 13.3% 51.9% 7.4% 97.9% Town 1.1% 0.9% 0.1% 0.1% 2.2% Age

5-15 y/o 1.6% 0.5% 1.8% 0.4% 4.3%

16-25 y/o 3.9% 1.4% 1.6% 0.5% 7.4%

26-35 y/o 3.9% 0.6% 2.1% 1.0% 7.6%

36-45 y/o 2.4% 1.0% 3.6% 2.6% 9.6% 46-55 y/o 2.8% 2.5% 6.0% 2.5% 13.8% 56-65 y/0 4.5% 3.3% 11.4% 0.0% 19.2%

66-75 y/o 3.8% 3.0% 12.3% 1.8% 20.9%

76-85 y/o 2.1% 1.6% 8.9% 1.1% 13.7%

86-98 y/o 0.6% 0.4% 1.1% 1.0% 3.1%

Education

None 23.3% 13.7% 48.3% 10.7% 96.0%

Primary 1.4% 0.3% 0.6% 0.3% 2.6%

JHS 0.3% 0.1% 0.1% - 0.5% SHS 0.5% 0.1% - - 0.6%

Vocational/ College 0.3% 0.1% - - 0.4%

General Total 25.7% 14.3% 49.7% 10.3% 100.0%

18

Figure 6. Percentage according to registration status of PWDs in Department of Social Welfare

Registration Status

Data showed that 75% of persons with disabilities are not registered with the

Department of Social Welfare. Only 24% of them are registered while the

remaining 1.0% has no response.

Part of the study is registration of persons with disabilities living in Bawku West.

The objectives of the Department of Social Welfare is to update the list of PWDs

and to harmonize the database at the district, regional and national level.

Registration of PWDs will serve as a guide and reference for the local government

and health units in planning and implementing services for treatment,

rehabilitation, disability prevention, employment and other measures for

integrating the PWDs into the mainstream of society. This move is meant to

synchronize the information and establish a unified database of information about

PWDs and enable monitoring and evaluation.

Registered Not Registered No answer

13.7%

42.9%

0.4%

7.4%

35.3%

0.3%

PWDs' Registration Status

Female Male

19

II. Socio-economic conditions

Current Schooling Status and Educational Attainment

Among the persons with disability, 93.5% were unable to attend school; 4.0%

had studied up to Primary level; 1.0% up to junior high school; 0.9% studied up

to senior high school; and 0.6% had undergone special training, vocational and

university standard.

4.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.6%

93.5%

Primary Junior High Senior High Vocational, University

None

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Educational Attainment

Figure 3. Percentage according to educational status and attainment

20

Figure 4. Percentage according to education level by sex

Of the respondents, 2.3% of them were students. Of them 3.1% were studying in

the primary; 0.3% in junior high school and 0.2% in senior high school. 0.5% is

out-of-school.

Analyzed by sex, educational status revealed that more than half of illiterate

PWDs are female (55.1%). In both sexes, males had more number whilst of

educations than female from primary to vocational and university study.

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%

Primary

Junior High

Senior High

Voc, Univ.

None

Primary Junior High Senior High Voc, Univ. None

Male 2.5% 0.9% 0.8% 0.5% 38.4%

Female 1.5% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 55.1%

Educational Level by Sex

21

Figure 5. Percentage of PWDs who have desire to return to formal school

Those who had not undergone any formal studies or had discontinued their

education were asked to state the reason for doing so. Twenty two percent cited

economic reasons including their disability; 7.2 % said their disability was the

preventing factor; and 54.7% because the school is not common during their

time. This factor is universal for those aged from 56 to 98 years old. Among other

reasons cited were lack of transportation and lack of interest on the part of their

parents.

When asked whether they would continue if they could receive assistance, 2.0%

of respondents were willing to re-start their education while 98% do not want to

go back to school due to old age and disability. Only 0.2% preferred to undergo

special training that can be used for employment or livelihood opportunities.

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Want re-start their education Do not want to go back to school

Female 0.6% 56.4%

Male 1.4% 41.6%

Desire to Return to Formal School

22

Table 5. Educational attainment, status and reason of discontinuation and inability to attend school

Percentage of PWDs according to educational attainment, status and discontinuation and inability to attend school, Bawku West District, 2011

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Primary Junior High

Senior High

Vocational/ University

No Education

Educational Status

Reason of discontinuation and inability to attend school

In-school

Ou-of-school

Due to Disability

Due to economic

and disability

School is not

common

Sex

Male 2.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 41.0% 2.0% 0.0% 4.0% 9.0% 22.0%

Female 1.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 55.0% 1.0% 0.0% 4.0% 14.0% 33.0%

Zone

Binaba - - - - 4.0% 1.0% - - 2.0% 2.0%

Gbantongo - - - - 8.0% - - - 1.0% 0.0%

Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore

- - - - 10.0% - - 1.0% 2.0% 7.0%

Sapeliga/Googo

- - - - 16.0% - - - 4.0% 12.0%

Tanga - - - - 6.0% - - 1.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Teshie 1.0% - - - 10.0% 1.0% - 1.0% 4.0% 5.0%

Tilli - - - - 4.0% - - - 1.0% 2.0%

Timonde - - - - 6.0% - - 1.0% 2.0% 4.0%

Widnaba - - - - 9.0% - - - 2.0% 6.0%

Zebilla - - - - 2.0% - - - 2.0% 0.0%

Zongoyire - - - - 22.0% - - 2.0% 4.0% 15.0%

Area

Village - - - - 2.0% - - - 2.0% -

Town 2.0% - - 1.0% 95.0% 3.0% - 7.0% 21.0% 57.0%

Age

5-15 y/o 1.0% - - - 3.0% 1.0% - 3.0% - -

16-25 y/o 1.0% - - - 3.0% 2.0% - 3.0% - -

26-35 y/o - - - - 5.0% - - - 5.0% -

36-45 y/o - - - - 6.0% - - - 6.0% -

46-55 y/o - - - - 11.0% - - - 11.0% -

56-65 y/0 - - - - 20.0% - - - 0.0% 20.0%

66-75 y/o - - - - 20.0% - - - 0.0% 20.0%

76-85 y/o - - - - 13.0% - - - 0.0% 13.0%

86-98 y/o - - - - 2.0% - - - 0.0% 2.0%

General Total

3.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 96.0% 3.0% 0.0% 8.0% 23.0% 55.0%

23

Figure 7. Percentage according to occupation and sex distribution

Occupation, Employment and Labor Market for Persons with Disabilities

As far as occupation was concerned, 97.7% of persons with disabilities in Bawku

West District are engaged in agricultural activities; 0.4% are are self-employed;

0.1% are employed; and 6.8% are unemployed or unable to work due to the

effect o their disability. Analyzed by sex, shows that the percentages of female

respondents who are engaged in farming (53.7%) and other work (0.5%) is

higher than of males (39.0%). Further, self employed respondents are involved in

petty trading such as selling of consumable and leather goods and mobile phone

credits while the one employed person is a seamstress.

In the Bawku West case, a majority of respondents have a preference to receive

skills training such as soap making, computer skills training, leather making, and

chair and furniture making for economic or livelihood opportunities. At the same

time some are capable of working in the professional or vocational sector or

teaching.

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%

Farming

Self-employed

Employed

Unable to work

Farming Self-employed Employed Unable to work

Male 39.0% 0.0% 0.0% 4.0%

Female 53.7% 0.4% 0.1% 2.8%

Occupation of PWDs

24

In Article 13 of the Persons with

Disability Act 715, it is stated that

appropriate training for the

unemployed person with disability

shall be provided. Where the

name of a person with disability

remains on a job search list for

more than two years, the Ministry

shall take the name of that person

off the list, and where applicable:

a. give that person appropriate training;

b. provide that person with necessary working tools and materials; and

c. assist that person to access loan capital to start a business.

This implies that, though various welfare schemes are designed to provide

employment or self-employment for persons with disabilities, these schemes have

not yet reached the PWDs in most areas, particularly the village zones.

Labor Market for PWDs10

Previously, a quota system was in effect so that employers with a certain number

of employees were obliged to have a percentage of PWDs employed. However, the

system was poorly monitored and has been dropped. In the public sector,

according to an administrative directive, PWDs employed are entitled to a

disability allowance of 48 cedis (less than 50 USD) every 3 months. The allowance

was previously paid out of the monthly payroll by the national government but

since this practice has been decentralized, the institutions where PWDs are

employed are responsible for paying the allowance. This is the case only if the

budgets are not exhausted, which means that, in reality, very few receive the

allowance, because the earmarked funds are used for other purposes. In general,

few PWDs are aware of their rights as employees and few use the policies and

systems in place to assist them.

10

Ghana Federation of Disabled Website

25

Alexander Tetteh who is the National Administrator of Ghana Society of the

Physically Disabled conducted a study focused on the employment challenges

faced by persons with disabilities in Ghana. The findings revealed that national

legislation focuses inadequately on people with disabilities.

The study revealed that, as a consequence of their disability, disabled persons

have a reduced capability of activity that causes many difficulties to life, work and

studies. The impact of disability on life activities may be different and depends

upon the specific context such as the environment -urban or rural - and type of

country- developed or less developed - and cultural/societal norms relating to

people with disabilities. The employment rate of persons with disability tends to

be considerably lower than that of non-disabled people in Ghana, as in most

countries, regardless of the overall employment rate. 11

Social barriers are another factor encountered by persons with disability in Ghana.

This includes issues of stereotyping and preconceived notions of other colleagues

regarding their abilities.

11

Alex Tetteh, Employment Challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities in Ghana

26

Housing Conditions and Facilities

I. Housing Condition

Most of the respondents (92.3%)) own their houses while other respondents are

living with their families (7.3%). Most of which them are children and youth with

disabilities. In Tanga and Zongoyire the study noted respondents who have no

home (0.4%). Most dwellings (99.6%) are constructed in a compound structure

because most of the families are extended in nature (Please refer to Figure 8.

Household Living Arrangements).

Figure 12. Percentage according to housing condition

Table 11. Summary of Household Population of Women Micro-Entrepreneurs in Three GREAT Areas

Owned Live with family No permanent home

Female 54.7% 2.1% 0.1%

Male 37.6% 5.2% 0.3%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Housing Condition

27

I. Sources of Potable and Domestic Water

Water supply for most respondents came from a borehole (98.9%) while the

remaining (1.1%) get water from waterworks. Most of the respondents are using

other sources of water such as rain. Wells is the other supply of potable water

including water for domestic use. Some households have two or more sources of

water.

Borehole

Water System

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%

Borehole Water System

Male 42.5% 0.5%

Female 56.4% 0.6%

Source of Water

Figure 13. Percentage according to sources of potable and domestic water

28

II. Source of Power in the Household

Ninety-seven percent of respondents from all zones have no electricity

connections while other three percent have electrical power in their households.

Electricity None

2.5%

97.5%

Source of Power

Figure 14. Percentage according to source of power in the households

29

III. Garbage Disposal

It was identified that a majority of respondents (97.7%) are disposing garbage

through burning. Respondents living in town practiced putting garbage in a

cellophane (garbage bag) and throwing them in a vacant lot (2.3%).

97.7%

2.3%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% 120.0%

Burning

Thrown in a vacant lot

Garbage Disposal System

Figure 15. Percentage according to garbage disposal system

Table 11. Summary of Household Population of Women Micro-Entrepreneurs in Three GREAT Areas

30

Table 10. Household condition of PWDs according structure, relation to dwelling and source of income

Percentage of PWDs according to household structure, relation to dwelling and source of income, Bawku West District, 2011

Household Structure Household Description Household Primary Source of Income Household Estimated Income per Month

Percentage of nuclear family

Percentage of

extended family

Total Owned Live with

family

No permanent

house

Total Farming Self employment

Employed

Unable to

Work/ Not

working

Total GHc 10-

30.00

GHc 40-

60.00

GHc 70-

100.00

GHc 101.00

up

No Incom

e

Total

Sex

Male 0.9% 42.1% 43.0% 37.9% 5.0% 0.2% 43.1% 38.9% 0.0% 0.1% 2.8% 41.8% 53.1% 0.8% 0.3% 0.0% 2.8%

57.0%

Female 2.5% 54.5% 57.0% 54.7% 2.1% 0.1% 56.9% 53.7% 0.4% 0.1% 4.0% 58.2% 37.3% 1.0% 0.4% 0.3% 4.0%

43.0%

Zone

Binaba 0.0% 4.4% 4.4% 2.4% 2.0% 0.0% 4.4% 3.9% 0.0% 0.0% 0.5% 4.4% 3.9% - - - 0.5% 4.4%

Gbantongo 0.0% 8.1% 8.1% 7.8% 0.3% 0.0% 8.1% 8.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 8.1% 8.1% - - - - 8.1%

Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore

1.1% 9.6% 10.7% 10.2% 1.0% 0.0% 11.2% 10.6% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 10.7% 10.4%

-

0.1% 0.2%

- 10.7%

Sapeliga/Googo

0.0% 16.4% 16.4% 15.7% 1.0% 0.0% 16.7% 16.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.3% 16.4% 16.1%

- - - 0.3%

16.4%

Tanga 0.3% 5.7% 5.9% 5.8% 0.0% 0.1% 5.9% 5.9% - 0.0% 0.0% 5.9% 5.9% - - - - 5.9%

Teshie 0.0% 10.7% 10.7% 10.7% 0.0% 0.0% 10.7% 10.6% - 0.0% 0.1% 10.7% 10.6%

- - - 0.1%

10.7%

Tilli 0.9% 2.9% 3.8% 3.5% 0.3% 0.0% 3.8% 3.3% 0.3% 0.0% 0.3% 3.8% 3.5% - - - 0.3% 3.8%

Timonde 0.0% 6.3% 6.3% 5.8% 1.0% 0.0% 6.8% 6.3% - 0.0% 0.0% 6.3% 6.3% - - - - 6.3%

Widnaba 0.4% 8.4% 8.8% 7.4% 1.4% 0.0% 8.8% 7.3% - 0.1% 1.4% 8.8% 7.2% - 0.1% 0.1% 1.4% 8.8%

Zebilla 0.8% 1.5% 2.3% 2.3% 0.0% 0.0% 2.3% 1.3% - 0.0% 1.0% 2.3% 1.0% 0.2% - 0.1% 1.0% 2.3%

Zongoyire 0.0% 22.8% 22.8% 20.8% 2.0% 0.2% 23.0% 19.4% - 0.1% 3.3% 22.8% 9.5% 6.2% 3.3% - 3.3% 22.3%

Area

Village 2.4% 95.1% 91.8% 84.3% 9.0% 0.2% 93.5% 85.4% 0.4% 0.2% 5.8% 91.8% 64.6%

16.5% 3.5% 0.3% 6.9%

91.8%

Town 0.8% 1.5% 2.3% 2.3% 0.0% 0.0% 2.3% 1.3% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 2.3% 2.2% - - 0.1% 2.3%

Age

5-15 y/o - 4.3% 4.3% 4.2% 0.1% 4.3% 3.9% - 0.4% 4.3% 3.2% - 1.1% 4.3%

16-25 y/o 0.5% 6.9% 7.4% 7.3% 0.1% 7.4% 6.9% - 0.1% 0.5% 7.5% 6.4% 1.0% 7.4%

31

Household Structure Household Description Household Primary Source of Income Household Estimated Income per Month

Percentage of nuclear family

Percentage of

extended family

Total Owned Live with

family

No permanent

house

Total Farming Self employment

Employed

Unable to

Work/ Not

working

Total GHc 10-

30.00

GHc 40-

60.00

GHc 70-

100.00

GHc 101.00

up

No Incom

e

Total

26-35 y/o 1.0% 6.7% 7.7% 7.6% 0.2% - 7.8% 7.4% - - 0.3% 7.7% 7.0% - - 0.7% - 7.7%

36-45 y/o 9.7% 9.7% 9.7% 0.2% - 9.9% 9.1% - - 0.6% 9.7% 3.0% 5.6% - 1.1% - 9.7%

46-55 y/o 0.2% 13.7% 13.9% 13.1% 0.3% 13.4% 13.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.5% 13.9% 4.4% 6.7% 1.2% 1.2% 0.4% 13.9%

56-65 y/0 - 19.2% 19.2% 19.1% 0.2% 0.1% 19.4% 17.5% 0.3% - 1.7% 19.5% 14.6%

1.6% 2.1% 0.3% 0.5%

19.1%

66-75 y/o - 20.9% 20.9% 20.3% 0.5% 0.1% 20.9% 18.7% - - 2.2% 20.9% 18.3%

0.7% 0.5% 0.2% 1.2%

20.9%

76-85 y/o - 13.8% 13.8% 13.4% 0.1% - 13.5% 12.7% - - 0.7% 13.4% 11.1%

0.6% - - 2.1%

13.8%

86-98 y/o - 3.1% 3.1% 3.2% 0.2% - 3.4% 2.6% - - 0.5% 3.1% 2.1% 0.3% - - 0.7% 3.1%

Education

None 0.5% 93.0% 93.5% 90.1% 3.1% 0.3% 93.5% 86.5% - - 7.0% 93.5% 68.7%

16.1% 2.2% - 6.5%

93.5%

Primary 1.8% 2.2% 4.0% 3.7% 0.3% - 4.0% 3.2% 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% 4.0% 2.1% 0.2% 1.3% - 0.4% 4.0%

JHS 0.5% 0.5% 1.0% 0.6% 0.4% - 1.0% 1.0% - - - 1.0% 0.8% 0.2% - - - 1.0%

SHS 0.5% 0.4% 0.9% 0.8% 0.1% - 0.9% 0.8% 0.1% - - 0.9% 0.8% - - 0.1% - 0.9%

Vocational/ College

0.2% 0.4% 0.6% 0.6% - - 0.6% 0.5% - 0.1% - 0.6% 0.3% - -

0.3%

- 0.6%

General Total

3.4% 96.6% 100.0%

92.6% 7.1% 0.3% 100.0%

92.6% 0.4% 0.2% 6.8% 100.0%

90.4%

1.8% 0.7% 0.3% 6.8% 100.0%

32

Properties/ Materials Owned

I. Appliances/ Consumer Durables

Among the respondents, only 8.1% owned appliances or consumer durables

while the remaining 91.9% have none of these devices. This is likely due to the

fact that almost all PWDs are economically marginalized.

Table 6 shows the top five appliances owned by PWDs from eleven (11) zones of

Bawku West District. (Note: respondents have multiple responses when a PWD

owns more than one appliance)

8.1%

91.9%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Yes No

Appliances/ Consumer Durables Ownership

Figure 9. Percentage of PWDs owned appliances/ consumer durables

33

Figure 10. Percentage of Livestock/ Poultry Raised/ Owned by PWDs including other household

II. Livestock/Poultry Raised

Most of the respondents (75.5%) have no livestock or poultry to rear. Of the

remaining respondents, 23.8% raised livestock and poultry. Most of the animals

being reared are present in the eleven (11) zones of the study, except horse,

sheep and donkey which were not mentioned in Gbantongo, Sapeliga/ Googo,

Tanga, Teshie, Tilli, Widnaba and Zongoyire.

Table 7 highlights the type of livestock/poultry raised in their backyards. (Note:

respondents have multiple responses, indicating tht a PWD raised more than one

livestock/ poultry)

Yes 24%

None 76%

Don’t know 0%

Livestock Raised/ Owned

Appliances # of Respondents

Female Male Total

1. Radio/ Cassette 16 18 34

2. Cell phone 1 5 6

3. Television 2 2 4

4. Electric fan 2 2

5. Refrigerator 1 1 2

Table 6 . Top five (5) appliances owned by PWDs

34

This indicates that fowl, goat and guinea fowl are most preferred to raise by the

persons with disabilities because: (1) they are cheaper in terms of buying price;

and (2) their size makes them relatively easier in terms of management

practices.

III. Crops Produced

All of the crops enumerated below (Table 8) are produced in the eleven (11)

zones. Sapeliga/ Googo have a higher percentage of PWDs who produce

maize (3.7%) while majority of respondents from Timonde produced millet

(6%). For other crops, respondents did not specify what types of other crops

they produced, while in Sapeliga/ Googo, Teshie, Tilli and Zongoyire,

respondents identified fruit trees (0.6%) , soy beans (0.2%) and vegetables

(0.1%).

Type of Livestock # of Respondents

Female Male Total

1. Fowl 61 56 117

2. Goat 29 25 54

3. Guinea Fowl 8 13 21

4. Cow 3 7 10

5. Donkey 1 5 6

6. Sheep 3 3

7. Horse 1 1

SEX STATUS TOTAL (%) Kind of Crop No

crop Don't know Maize Millet Rice Groundnut Soybean Vegetable Tree

Female 10.9% 7.9% 2.4% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% 0.3% 32.1% 0.1% 54.3%

Male 10.0% 11.6% 2.5% 0.6% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 20.3% 0.2% 45.7%

GENERAL TOTAL

20.8% 19.4% 5.0% 1.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.6% 52.3% 0.3% 100.0%

Table 7. Total of PWDs raised/ owned livestock/poultry

Table 8. Percentage according to crops produced by PWDs and other households

35

IV. Vehicles

A majority of PWDs, including their households, use their feet for mobility. There

are a few who own bicycles (7.2%) and motorcycles (0.1%). In

Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore and Widnaba respondents were identified owning both

bicycle and motorcycle (2.8%) as a means of transportation. Tricycle (0.3%) is

also noted as being used in Zebilla.

Table 9. Vehicles own/use by PWDs

SEX TRANSPORTATION MEANS TOTAL

Mode Walking

Bicycle Motorcycle Tricycle Bicycle and Motorcycle

Female 4.0% 0.1% 0.1% 1.4% 51.3% 57.0%

Male 3.1% 0.0% 0.1% 1.4% 38.4% 43.0%

GENERAL TOTAL

7.2% 0.1% 0.3% 2.8% 89.7% 100.0%

36

V. Land Ownership

Eighty percent of PWD respondents do not own any land property. It is

predominant in all zones particularly respondents from Zongoyire and Sapeliga/

Googo. Less than a hectare is owned by 1.4% of the respondents in Sapeliga/

Googo, Teshie, Timonde, Zebilla and Zongoyire. Owning 1-2 hectares (12.2%)

and 3-5 hectares (3.9%) is more is common in all zones. Owning more than five

hectares (2.0%) was identified only in Zongoyire.

1% 12%

4%

2%

1%

80%

Land owned by PWDs according to size

Less than 1 hectare

1-2 hectare

3-5 hectare

More than 5 hectare

Yes only

Don’t own land

Figure 11. Percentage according to land owned by PWDs by size

37

Table 3. Percentage according to age distribution by sex

III. Socio-demographic conditions

Age Group Distribution

Most of respondents (60.4%) belong to the Productive Working Group age (15-

65 years old). Respectively, the communities from 11 zones of Bawku West have

this age group. The remaining PWD respondents (37.9%) are 66 – 100 years old

and (1.8%) are 5-10 years of age.

Age/ Years Female

%

Male

%

Total

%

5-10 0.6% 1.1% 1.8%

11-15 1.1% 1.4% 2.5%

16-20 2.5% 2.5% 5.0%

21-25 0.8% 1.6% 2.4%

26-30 1.6% 1.4% 3.0%

31-35 2.6% 2.0% 4.7%

36-40 2.9% 2.3% 5.2%

41-45 1.9% 2.6% 4.5%

46-50 4.9% 2.1% 7.0%

51-55 3.9% 2.9% 6.8%

56-60 5.2% 3.3% 8.4%

61-65 6.9% 3.9% 10.8%

66-70 6.5% 3.3% 9.8%

71-75 6.2% 4.9% 11.1%

76-80 5.8% 4.4% 10.2%

81-85 2.1% 1.5% 3.6%

86-90 1.3% 1.4% 2.6%

91-95 0.0% 0.4% 0.4%

96-100 0.1% 0.0% 0.1%

TOTAL %

according to Sex

57.0% 43.0% 100.0%

38

Figure 8. Percentage according to living arrangements

Household Living Arrangements

In the population studied, almost ninety-seven percent of respondents live in

homes where the common household kitchen arrangement is designed for

extended families. Only 3.4% of families studied have a nuclear structure,

composed only of the immediate family.

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%

Extended

Nuclear

Extended Nuclear

Male 42.1% 0.9%

Female 54.5% 2.5%

Household Living Arrangements

39

Family members who left abroad

The data shows that 99% of respondents do not have relatives abroad while the

remaining 1.0% of respondents had family members (2 males and 8 females)

who have left for work abroad. Destinations are not clear to the respondents

due to long time separation with these relatives and others are not close to

them. One among the respondent identified that her family member is now in

U.S.A. to pursue further study.

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Yes No

Female 1.0% 56.0%

Male 0.3% 42.8%

PWDs who have Family Members Left for Abroad

Figure 16. Percentage of PWDs who have family members abroad

40

Figure 17. Percentage according to organizational affiliation

IV. Organizational Affiliation

The numbers of persons with disability involved in community projects and social

groups are also a reflection of the degree of awareness and community support.

In the case of Bawku West, 98.7% of the total PWD respondents are not

affiliated with any organization. Only 1.3% of PWDs were engage in community

groups.

Among those persons with disability who never involve themselves in social

activities, the majority stated their disability as the reason; some of them

mentioned it is due to lack of awareness and a few attributed it to their age,

particularly children and the elderly. This would suggest that it would help large

numbers of respondents if they were more involved and felt accepted in

community and social assemblies, so they do not feel they must live isolated

from social activities.

Yes None

Female 0.4% 56.6%

Male 0.9% 42.1%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Organizational Affiliation

41

On the level of those who are involved in organizations, 1.2% of them are

regular members, while 0.1% actively participate as an officer with the position

as Secretary.

Benefits/Assistance Received by the Members of Organizations

On benefits acquired during

membership from organization,

0.3% of total respondents have

gained knowledge, skills on

training in areas such as soap

making and HIV and AIDs. There

are members who gained more

confidence in themselves

particularly through dealing with

different people during their

membership.

Given the statistics, small numbers of PWDs are able to access skills training for

their personal development.

Number of Years in the Organization

Among the respondents, only 0.2% of PWDs remember the length of their

membership with their organization. Both of them are female. The remaining

PWDs who have affiliation have difficulty in recalling the years of their

membership. This indicates: (1) most of them are not active. This may be due of

their disability or health condition; and/ or (2) the organization is not actively

operating.

42

V. Nature, Cause and Treatment of Disabilities

I. Causes of disability

As regards the cause of disability, respondents responses were:

Diseases, mentioned by 32.1%. Awareness about what kind of diseases can

cause disability is low and therefore prevention is also limited.

Accidents, mentioned by 13.0%.

Disability at birth, mentioned by 7.4%

Due to old age, mentioned by 0.9%

Spiritual attack, mentioned by 2.0%. (see chameleon and placed inside the

tree), The majority of respondents who believed in spiritual causes have a

low level of education.

Most respondents with a disability are not aware of the cause of their own

disability (44.6%). Of these, 0.8% of them developed disability during

childhood.

II. Treatment

Many respondents think treatment of disability is not possible, although many

mentioned medical intervention (62.3%). Some of them sought treatment from

traditional healers (1.9%). The remaining 35.8% have never undergone any

treatment.

Analyzed by sex, the percentage of female (35.8%) who sought treatment was

slightly higher than male (28.3%). Among 1.9% of respondents who sought

traditional treatment, males (1.3%) were higher than females (0.6%).

Among those who sought tradition treatment, the reasons given included lack of

medical access, inability to pay and overall lack of knowledge.

43

III. Nature of disability

The categories of disabled persons identified are:

1. Visually Impaired

2. Hearing Impaired

3. Orthopedically handicapped

4. Leprosy Deformity

5. Deafness

6. Epilepsy

7. Mental Illness/ Mental

Retardation

Visual and hearing impairments and observable physical disabilities are clearly

recognized as disabilities. But respondents have limited knowledge about

intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses and their different characteristics.

Analyzed by sex, females with disabilities (57%) outnumber males (43%) with

disabilities.

44

Table 12. Nature, Causes and Treatment of Disabilities of PWDs

Percentage of PWDs according to nature, causes and treatment of disabilities, Bawku West District, 2011

Nature of Disability Cause of Disability Treatment

Visually

Impaired

Hearing

Impaired

Deaf Orthopedically Handicapped

Mental

Illness

Leprosy Deformity

Epilepsy

Difficulty in

Moving,

Weakness, Stiffne

ss

Others Total Disability of Birth

Disability due to

accident

Disability due to

sickness

Disability

due to old age

Traditional Belief

(e.g. witchcraft, leaving

the person

under the

tree, etc.)

Don’t Know

Other cause/s

Total Hospital (Medical) Treatment related

to disability

Traditional

(Indigenous)

Treatment

No Treatm

ent

Total

Sex

Male 29.7% 4.0% 1.0% 5.7% 0.3% 0.4% 1.1% 0.1% 0.7% 43.0% 3.8% 6.4% 12.7% 0.4% 0.9% 15.3% 3.5% 43.0% 27.0% 1.3% 14.7%

43.0%

Female 39.9% 8.2% 1.0% 5.2% 0.4% 0.3% 1.1% 0.6% 0.3% 57.0% 3.6% 6.5% 19.4% 0.5% 2.0% 19.2% 5.8% 57.0% 35.3% 0.6% 21.1%

57.0%

Zone

Binaba 2.4%

- 0.1% 1.0% - - 0.1% 0.3% 0.5% 4.4% 0.3% 0.3% 2.6%

- 0.6% 0.5% 0.1% 4.4% 3.5% 0.1% 0.8%

4.4%

Gbantongo 5.7%

0.1% 0.5% 1.8% - - -

- - 8.1% 0.6% 2.6% 3.8%

- 0.4% 0.6% - 8.1% 7.8%

- 0.3%

8.1%

Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore

8.1% 2.0% 0.0% 0.1% - 0.4% - - 0.1% 10.7% - 1.5% 1.0% - 0.4% 5.3% 2.5% 10.7% 6.7% - 4.0% 10.7%

Sapeliga/Googo

12.2% 2.5% - 0.6% 0.1% 0.5% 0.4% - - 16.3% 0.5% 1.4% 6.2%

- 0.3% 7.7% 0.4% 16.4% 12.8%

- 3.6%

16.4%

Tanga 3.0% 1.8% - 1.0% - 0.1% - - - 5.9% - 0.5% 0.5%

- - 4.9% - 5.9% 2.1%

- 3.8%

5.9%

Teshie 5.2% 2.0% 0.4% 2.1% 0.1% 0.4% 0.1% 0.1% 0.3% 10.7% 1.0% 1.1% 5.7%

- 0.1% 2.6% 0.1% 10.7% 5.6% 1.3% 3.8%

10.7%

Tilli 2.4% 0.8% - 0.6% - - - - - 3.8% - 0.1% 0.8%

- 0.1% 2.8% - 3.8% 0.9% 0.1% 2.7%

3.7%

Timonde 4.3% 0.8% - 0.8% - 0.5% - - - 6.4% 3.0% 2.1% 0.6%

- - - 0.5% 6.3% 5.1% 0.1%

1.1% 6.3%

Widnaba 7.0% 0.5% - 0.8% - 0.4% - 0.1% - 8.8% 0.4% 1.3% 2.6% 0.3% 0.8% 3.3% 0.3% 8.8% 6.5% - 2.3%

8.8%

Zebilla 1.8% 0.0% 0.3% 0.3% - - - - - 2.4% 0.1% 0.1% 1.1% - - 0.8% 0.1% 2.3% 1.3%

- 1.0% 2.3%

Zongoyire 17.6% 1.8% 0.8% 1.8% 0.4% - - 0.3% 0.3% 23.0% 1.5% 1.9% 7.2% 0.6% 0.3% 6.2% 5.2% 22.8% 10.7% 0.3% 11.8%

22.8%

Area

Village 67.9% 12.3%

1.8% 10.6% 0.6% 2.3% 0.6% 0.8% 1.2% 98.1% 7.3% 12.8% 30.9% 0.9% 2.9% 33.8% 9.1% 97.7% 61.7% 1.9% 34.2% 97.8%

Town 0.2% - 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% - - 0.3% 0.3% 1.6% 0.1% 0.1% 1.1% - - 0.8% 0.1%

2.1% 1.3%

- 1.0% 2.3%

Age

5-15 y/o 0.5%

0.3% 0.4% 1.3% - 0.1% 0.4% - 0.1% 3.1% 1.1% - 0.1% - - 0.4% 0.3% 1.9% 2.0% 0.1% 2.5%

4.6%

16-25 y/o 0.8%

0.6% 0.3% 0.7% 0.1% 0.3% 0.3% - - 3.1% 1.5% 0.7% 0.8%

- 0.2% 0.5% 0.3% 4.0% 3.3% 0.5% 3.2%

7.0%

45

Nature of Disability Cause of Disability Treatment

Visually

Impaired

Hearing

Impaired

Deaf Orthopedically Handicapped

Mental

Illness

Leprosy Deformity

Epilepsy

Difficulty in

Moving,

Weakness, Stiffne

ss

Others Total Disability of Birth

Disability due to

accident

Disability due to

sickness

Disability

due to old age

Traditional Belief

(e.g. witchcraft, leaving

the person

under the tree, etc.)

Don’t Know

Other cause/s

Total Hospital (Medical) Treatment related

to disability

Traditional

(Indigenous)

Treatment

No Treatm

ent

Total

26-35 y/o 1.3% 0.4% 0.3% 0.9% 0.3% - 0.8% 0.1% - 4.1% 1.5% 0.7% 1.0% - 0.3% 0.7% 0.5% 4.7% 5.1% 0.3%

4.3% 9.7%

36-45 y/o 2.0% 0.8% 0.3% 0.8% - - 0.7% 0.3%

0.3% 5.2%

0.4% 0.5%

2.4% - 0.2% 1.5% 1.0% 6.0% 6.0% 0.4% 5.7%

12.1%

46-55 y/o 5.3% 0.4% 0.1% 1.1% 10.0%

- 0.0% 0.3%

0.3% 17.5%

0.4% 2.7% 2.9% - 0.2% 7.8% 1.0% 15.0% 9.0% 0.4% 4.9%

14.3%

56-65 y/0 11.3% 0.4% 0.1% 1.3% 0.1% 0.4% 0.1%

0.3%

0.3%

14.3%

1.5%

3.8% 13.5% - 0.6% 9.8% 2.0% 31.2% 13.2% - 5.2%

18.4%

66-75 y/o 11.3% 0.6% 0.1% 1.2% - 0.1% - 0.1% 13.4%

0.5% 3.2% 7.3% 0.3% 0.7% 7.4% 2.3% 21.7% 12.7% - 5.4%

18.1%

76-85 y/o 8.0% 0.1% - 0.6% - - - 0.1% 0.1%

8.9% 0.3% 1.3% 3.8% 0.5% 0.3% 5.4% 1.5% 13.1% 10.0% 0.1% 3.6%

13.7%

86-98 y/o 0.8% - - - - - - - - 0.8% 0.2% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% 1.1% 0.3% 2.5% 1.0% 0.1%

1.0% 2.1%

Education

None 69.1% 12.0%

1.9% 9.5% 0.7% 0.6% 2.2% 0.7% 1.0% 97.7% 7.3% 12.6% 23.1% 0.9% 2.7% 33.9% 9.2% - 60.2% 1.7% 35.8% 2.1%

Primary 0.3% 0.1% - 1.0% - - - - - 1.4% 0.2% 0.1% 0.5% -

0.1% 0.6% - -

1.2% 0.1% -

-

JHS 0.1% - - 0.2% - - - - - 0.3% - -

0.2% -

0.1% - - -

0.2% 0.1% - -

SHS 0.1% - 0.1% 0.2% - - - - - 0.4% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% - - -

0.1% -

0.5% -

- -

Vocational/ College

- 0.1% - - - 0.1% - - - 0.2% - 0.1% 0.1% - - - - - 0.2%

-

- -

General Total

69.6% 12.2%

2.0% 10.9% 0.7% 0.7% 2.2% 0.7% 1.0% 100.0%

7.4% 12.9% 32.1% 0.9% 2.9% 34.5% 9.3% 100.0%

62.3% 1.9% 35.8% 100.0%

46

Health Condition

Most of the people with

disabilities use public health

services more than people

without disabilities. Right from

the time of birth of disabled child

or from the day a person

suspect‟s impairment, she/he

visits hospitals and clinics

numerous times for diagnosis,

treatment, rehabilitation, second

opinion, etc. Moreover, many people with disability need medical help to take

care of secondary conditions, like pressure sores, fatigue, pain, etc.

Persons with disabilities make up nearly 15-20%12 of the poor population in

developing countries. Disability, poverty and poor health are inter-related.

Poverty leads to poor nutrition, lack of access to health, unhealthy and unsafe

living and working conditions, which can lead to impairments and diseases. After

the onset of a disability, physical and social barriers to health facilities,

education, employment, and other aspects of life can trap people in a cycle of

poverty.

In Persons with Disability Act 715, 2006, Article 31, it is stated that in

formulating health policies, the Ministry of Health shall provide free general and

specialist medical care, rehabilitative operations, treatment and appropriate

assistive devices for persons with total disability. Further, Article 32 states that

the Ministry of Health shall include the study of disability and disability-related

issues in the curricula of training institutions for health professionals in order to

develop appropriate human resources to provide general and specialized

rehabilitation services.

12

Sunanda Reddy, Major Issues Concerning Disabled People

47

Article 25 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

(UNCRPD) states that "persons with disabilities have the right to the enjoyment

of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis

of disability". The Eleventh Five Year Plan also has mandates related to Disability

Certificate, aids & appliances, mental health, rehabilitation, etc. In order to fulfill

these commitments, a concerted effort is required from all concerned Ministries

and stakeholders.

These national and international

mandates make it clear that health

services need to cater to all,

including people with disabilities.

Services are required for people

with various disabilities,

particularly those with

deteriorating conditions, leprosy,

multiple disabilities, deaf-

blindness, spinal injuries, mental

disabilities, a range of syndromes, and many more.

However, in various studies in Ghana, a huge gap is apparent in terms of health

services for persons with disabilities in the country. For persons with disabilities

in Bawku West District, 40.6% have long-standing illnesses and health problems

aside from their disabilities that limit their activities or kind of work that they can

do. Issues range from inaccessible medical buildings and diagnostic equipment,

lack of transport to reach the health centre, (particularly for those who live in

villages far from the town), to negative/stereotypical attitudes of health

professionals or their ignorance or lack of training to communicate with people

with hearing/speech impairment or mental disability, or total expense of

treatment/rehabilitation.

48

Many times, the health of caretaker in the family or family members (45.3%)

too becomes an added concern, but they have extra burdens and are sometimes

neglected. Family resources get depleted as disabled parents, heads of the

family or family members move from one hospital or doctor to another, in search

of cure, treatment or rehabilitation for their disabled child/ disabled family

members or their own disability. Some of them also seek out “traditional”

treatment in a quest to cure for their own sickness or disabilities.

49

Table 13. Health condition of PWDs and other family members

Percentage of PWDs according to health condition aside from disabilities that has effect on their work/ activities including other family members, Bawku West District, 2011

PWDs' Health Condition Other Household Health Condition

Illness/ Health Problem Disability No Health Proble

m

Illness/ Health Problem

Disability No Health

Problem

Stomac

h Problem

Difficulty Manuring

Body Pain

Heart

Pain

Breast

Mass

Headach

e

Skin Rashes

Goiter

Hernia Fever

Elephantiasis

Difficulty seeing

Difficulty

speaking

Difficulty

Walking/ Weak

legs

Difficulty

Hearing

Epilepsy

Mental Illness

Diarrhea

Cough

Heart Proble

m

Difficulty Seeing

Orthopedically handicapped

Epilepsy

Sex

Male 0.6% 0.2% 2.1% 0.6% - 0.2% - - 0.1% - 0.1% 5.4% 0.2% 2.3% 0.3% 0.2% - 26.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.3% - - 21.7%

Female 1.5% - 2.1% 0.5% 0.1% 0.8% 0.1% 0.2% - 0.1% 0.1% 7.6% -

4.0% 0.7% 0.3% 0.1% 33.2% - - - 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 33.0%

Zone

Binaba 0.5% -

0.1% 0.1% - - - - - - - - - 0.1% - - - 2.6% - - - - - - 1.3%

Gbantongo 0.1% -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - 7.9% - - - - - - 8.1%

Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore

0.1% - 1.0% 0.5% 0.1% 0.3%

- - - - -

5.6% - 1.2% 0.3% 0.2% - 1.3%

- - - - -

0.2% 5.5%

Sapeliga/Googo

0.1% - 0.1% - -

0.3% - - - - - - -

- 0.1% - -

16.0% - - - - - -

2.4%

Tanga 0.3% - - - - - - - - - - - 0.6% 0.2% - - 4.5% - 0.1% - 0.5% 0.1% - 3.4%

Teshie 0.6% 0.1% 0.8% 0.3% - 0.3% 0.1% 0.1% - - 0.1% 0.1% 0.7% - - 6.7% - - - - - - 9.9%

Tilli 0.1% - 0.7% 0.1% - - -

- 0.1% - 0.3% 0.2% 0.1% - - 1.6% -

- -

- -

- 2.3%

Timonde - - - -

0.1% - - - -

0.3% 2.2% 0.1% 1.7% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 1.8% - -

- -

- -

3.1%

Widnaba 0.1% 0.1% 5.0% 0.1% - - - 0.1% 0.1% - - 4.4% -

0.2% - - -

2.5% -

- 0.1% - 0.1% - 7.3%

Zebilla - - 0.3% - - - - - - - -

- 0.2% - - - 1.8% - - - - - -

1.3%

Zongoyire 0.1% - - - - - - - - - - 0.3% - - - 0.1% - 21.3% - - - - - 20.0%

Area

Village 2.0% - - - - - - - - 0.1% 0.3%

12.9% 0.2% 4.8%

0.9% 0.5% 0.1% 68.0% -

0.1% 0.1% 0.5% 0.2% 0.2% 63.3%

Town - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.2% - - - 1.8% - - - - - - 1.3%

Age

5-15 y/o 0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 2.8% 3.1%

50

PWDs' Health Condition Other Household Health Condition

Illness/ Health Problem Disability No Health Proble

m

Illness/ Health Problem

Disability No Health

Problem

Stomac

h Problem

Difficulty Manuring

Body Pain

Heart

Pain

Breast

Mass

Headach

e

Skin Rashes

Goiter

Hernia Fever

Elephantiasis

Difficulty seeing

Difficulty

speaking

Difficulty

Walking/ Weak

legs

Difficulty

Hearing

Epilepsy

Mental Illness

Diarrhea

Cough

Heart Proble

m

Difficulty Seeing

Orthopedically handicapped

Epilepsy

16-25 y/o 0.1% -

0.1% 0.1% - - - - - - - 0.2%

0.2% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% -

5.0% -

- - -

0.1% -

4.9%

26-35 y/o 0.1% - 0.3% - - - - - - - - 0.1% -

0.6% 0.2% - - 4.7% - 0.1% - - -

- 4.5%

36-45 y/o 0.4% - 0.2% 0.1% -

0.2% - - -

- - 0.5% - 0.2 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 4.7% - - - -

- -

4.6%

46-55 y/o - 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% - 0.1% - - - 0.1% 0.1% 1.5% -

1.2 0.1% -

- 7.6% - - - - -

- 6.0%

56-65 y/0 0.7% 0.1% 0.5% 0.2% 0.1% - -

0.1% - - -

2.6% - 1.2 - - -

13.3% - -

- 0.2% - 0.1% 9.0%

66-75 y/o 0.1% -

1.2% 0.3% -

0.2% - 0.1% 0.1% - - 4.9% -

1.8 0.1% 0.1% - 11.6% 0.1% - 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 12.0%

76-85 y/o 0.5% - 0.8% -

- 0.1% - - - - -

2.3% - 0.7 0.1% - -

8.0% - - - - - -

9.0%

86-98 y/o - - 0.1% - - - - - - - - 0.5% - 0.1% - - - 1.2% - - - - - - 1.3%

Education

None 0.2% 0.2% 4.2% 1.1% 0.1% 1.0% 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 12.4% 0.2%

5.9% 1.0% 0.5% 0.1% 34.8% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.4% 0.1% 0.2% 28.8%

Primary 0.1% - - - - - - - - - -

0.6% -

0.1% - - -

2.5% - - - - - -

3.5%

JHS -

- - - - - - - - - - - - 0.2% - - - 0.6% - - - - - - 0.5%

SHS - - - - - - - - - - - - -

0.1% - - -

0.8% - - - - - -

0.7%

Vocational/ College

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.7% - - - - - - 0.6%

General Total

2.1% 0.2% 4.2% 1.1% 0.1% 1.0% 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 13.0%

0.2% 6.3% 1.0% 0.5% 0.1% 59.4% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.4% 0.1% 0.2% 54.7%

51

Health Care

Of the PWD respondents in

Bawku West, 42.3% have health

insurance. Most of them are self-

pay, out-of-pocket

payers(30.2%); 10.8% are

government funded; 0.9% have

payments made by their family

members while the remaining

0.4% pay by private insurance

(0.2%) and church (0.2%). The

remaining 57.7% have no health

insurance.

Good health care policies that will provide access for the needs of persons with

disabilities is a necessity that the Persons with Disability Act (715, section 31)

emphasizes: “The Ministry of Health in formulating health policies shall provide

for free general and specialist medical care, rehabilitative operation treatment

and appropriate assistive devices for persons with total disability.” It appears

that the general conditions of persons with disabilities are already overburdened

with educational, social, architectural, transportation, institutional and

information barriers, as well as poverty. Free access to health care might

lessened their plight.

The government of Ghana is trying to improve the lives of persons with

disabilities in the country, a fact attested to by the passage of the disability law,

the inauguration of the National Council on Persons with Disability, and the

recent appointment of an acting Executive Secretary for the council.

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was founded as one of the key

pillars of Poverty Reduction of the government. It was introduced in 2003

through the National Health Insurance Act, Act 650, with the view to improving

52

financial access of Ghanaians, especially the poor and vulnerable, to quality

basic health services.13

In 2005, a national health

insurance scheme was launched

by the government of Ghana, to

give the population access to

affordable health facilities.

However, in the case of PWDs,

unless they are classified as

indigents, they are not entitled to

exemption from paying the

subscription fee, an option which,

according to the plan, may be granted to poor people. Moreover, experience

shows that, when exemption is granted, payment to the scheme is picked up by

the Common Funds, a practice which the PWDs consider an improper use of the

funds.

While the insurance will cover most ordinary diseases and some types of

accidents, rehabilitation services, appliances, and prostheses are not included in

the insurance scheme. The information about the insurance is however not

designed for PWDs.14

Article 25 of United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

(UNCRPD) states, “Prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities in the

provision of health insurance, and life insurance where such insurance is

permitted by national law, which shall be provided in a fair and reasonable

manner”.

13

National Health Insurance Scheme Website 14

Ghana Federation for the Disabled People

53

Ideally, all disabled people should have access to government and private

insurance schemes. However in reality, many persons with disabilities do not

have health care insurance. It is easy to understand that persons with

disabilities, in general, incur more expenditures than non-disabled people on

medical and related expenses such as prescribed medications, care for

preventing secondary conditions, support services, etc.

Recognizing this fact, in other countries such as the U.S and UK, they have

designed excellent health insurance plans supported by the government for

disabled people and elderly, covering a wide range of expenses including,

hospital insurance and medical insurance. Hospital Insurance covers care in

hospitals as an inpatient, critical access hospitals, skilled nursing facilities,

hospice care, and some home health care. Medical Insurance covers Doctors‟

services, outpatient hospital care, and some other medical services and home

health care.

54

In Ghana, health care services may become affordable for all only when the

changes in policy take into account all marginalized groups in a Social Security

Net. Specific policies and laws identifying services for PWDs is one of the

solutions that can be considered.

Table 14. Health Care Status and Payment System

Percentage distribution of PWDs according to health care including payment, Bawku West District, 2011

Health Care

Government Funding

Self pay,

out of pocket

Private Insurance

Family Member

Pays

Others (e.g.

Church, etc.

No Health Care

Sex

Male 5.1% 12.3% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 21.6%

Female 5.7% 17.9% 0.1% 0.6% 0.1% 31.8%

Zone

Binaba 0.6% 2.6% - 0.2% 0.5% 0.5% Gbantongo - 3.0% - - - 5.1% Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore 0.4% 5.7% - - - 4.6%

Sapeliga/Googo 2.0% 5.9% 0.1% 0.1% - 8.3%

Tanga 0.3% 2.3% 0.1% - - 3.2%

Teshie - 4.0% - - - 6.3%

Tilli - 1.4% - - - 2.4%

Timonde 3.4% 2.9% - - - 0.0%

Widnaba 1.0% 0.5% - - - 7.3%

Zebilla 1.1% 0.1% - - - 1.1%

Zongoyire 2.4% 4.8% - 0.6% 0.4% 14.6%

Area

Village 10.1% 33.1% 0.2% 0.9% 0.9% 52.3%

Town 1.1% 0.1% - - - 1.1%

Age

5-15 y/o 0.3% 1.2% - 0.2% - 1.5% 16-25 y/o 0.6% 2.0% - 0.1% 0.1% 2.3% 26-35 y/o 0.7% 2.0% - - - 2.0%

36-45 y/o 1.2% 3.5% - 0.1% - 2.0%

46-55 y/o 1.2% 4.5% - - - 6.0%

56-65 y/0 3.3% 8.5% 0.1% 0.2% - 7.1%

66-75 y/o 2.2% 7.1% - 0.1% 0.1% 8.3%

76-85 y/o 1.2% 4.0% 0.1% 0.1% - 6.0%

86-98 y/o 0.4% 1.0% - - - 1.0%

Education

None 10.4% 33.0% 0.2% 0.8% 0.2% 45.5%

Primary 0.1% 0.7% - 0.1% - 1.5%

JHS 0.2% 0.1% - - - 0.1%

SHS 0.3% - - - - 0.1%

Vocational/ College 0.1% 0.1% - - - 0.1%

GENERAL TOTAL 10.8% 30.2% 0.2% 0.9% 0.2% 53.4%

55

VI. Government role as seen by Persons with Disabilities

This section provides information about the perception of PWDs about

government‟s role in Bawku West. The PWDs were asked series of questions to

identify the needs and awareness of PWDs about the role of government in

PWDs issue.

1. What would you suggest to the local government about how they

can help PWDs?

Suggestion of PWDs Female Male Total

1 Support for farming e.g. farm inputs, technical assistance and financial support

15.5% 14.6% 30.1%

2 Assistance for livelihood including business expansion 15.1% 10.2% 25.3%

3 Provide financial assistance e.g., micro-credit, loan and cash

15.1% 4.4% 19.5%

4 Aid for food 6.8% 6.7% 13.5%

5 Provide animals to rear 1.0% 1.1% 2.1%

6 Educational support 0.9% 1.1% 2.0%

7 Infrastructure 0.8% 1.0% 1.8%

8 Provide employment opportunities 0.4% 0.9% 1.3%

9 Provide medical assistance 0.4% 0.8% 1.1%

10 Support for water 0.4% 0.8% 1.1%

11 Self-reliance 0.4% 0.8% 1.1%

12 No suggestion 0.4% 0.8% 1.1%

GENERAL TOTAL 57.0% 43.0% 100.0%

2. What role do you like your district to perform in relation to the

“outside world”, i.e., the region and/ or country as a whole?

Table 15. Suggestions of PWDs addressed to local government on how they can help PWDs

56

Perceived roles Female Male Total

1 Increase expansion of infrastructure e.g., CHP centers, public toilets, bridges, boreholes, schools for PWDs, roads

11.9% 9.2% 21.1%

2 Provision of loans, micro-credit and other financial assistance for PWDs

8.4% 8.8% 17.2%

3 Provision of assistance for farming 10.1% 5.9% 16.0%

4 Provision of employment seat opportunities for PWDs 6.5% 4.7% 11.2%

5 Donate food for PWDs 5.2% 5.8% 10.9%

6 Provision of electricity to households 4.9% 5.7% 10.6%

7 Provision of educational support 0.9% 1.3% 2.1%

8 Don’t know 9.1% 1.8% 10.8%

GENERAL TOTAL 57.0% 43.0% 100.0%

3. What do you want your people (men and women) to be? What are

your aspirations as a people?

Aspirations Female Male Total

1 Have sufficient food to eat 11.6% 5.5% 17.1%

2 The respect for PWDs by community and able people 9.1% 5.7% 14.7%

3 Access to quality health care 6.5% 4.9% 11.4%

4 Unity among PWDs 5.9% 3.4% 9.3%

5 More awareness on the Rights of PWDs 1.1% 1.6% 2.8%

6 Able to do farming and contribute to the development of the nation

1.1% 1.4% 2.5%

7 Access support for life 1.4% 1.1% 2.5%

8 Contribute to the development of the nation 1.1% 1.3% 2.4%

9 Provide support for the government in terms of infrastructure, e.g., free labor and maintenance

0.9% 1.4% 2.3%

10 Jobs for PWDs 1.1% 1.1% 2.3%

11 Access to skills training 1.1% 1.1% 2.3%

12 Community and able people to love the PWDs 1.4% 0.9% 2.3%

13 Access to financial assistance e.g., loans, micro-credit for livelihood activities

1.1% 1.0% 2.1%

14 Come out of poverty 1.1% 0.8% 1.9%

15 Have animals to rear for living 1.1% 0.8% 1.9%

16 Be part of the society like able people 0.9% 0.9% 1.8%

17 Community and other people not discriminate PWDs 0.0% 0.9% 0.9%

18 Don’t know what to say, no suggestion 10.3% 9.3% 19.6%

GENERAL TOTAL 57.0% 43.0% 100.0%

Table 16. Perceived roles of the local government in relation to regional and/ or country in general

Table 17. Aspiration as a person and for community and society as a whole

57

Table 18. PWDs wish to be the state of District’s local economy

Table 19. Dreams of PWDs to be the condition of District’s natural environment

4. What hopes do you have for the state and local economy?

PWDs wish Female Male Total

1 Increased number of citizens who will pay taxes 9.8% 6.5% 16.4%

2 Increased farm production 7.4% 5.8% 13.2%

3 Financially independent 9.4% 1.1% 10.6%

4 Constituents are educated 3.4% 4.4% 7.8%

5 Accessible water system/ source of water 3.3% 4.0% 7.3%

6 Intensified infrastructure 3.4% 3.8% 7.2%

7 Have sufficient resources (raw materials, financial, etc.) 3.0% 4.0% 7.0%

8 Expanded business 2.9% 4.0% 6.9%

9 Adequate food for the people 4.2% 1.9% 6.0%

10 Increased animals raised 3.8% 0.6% 4.4%

11 Fair treatment 2.9% 0.0% 2.9%

12 Accessible electrical power 0.0% 2.4% 2.4%

13 Self reliance 0.0% 1.4% 1.4%

14 No suggestion 3.5% 3.0% 6.5%

GENERAL TOTAL 57.0% 43.0% 100.0%

5. What do you dream to be the condition of your District Assembly’s

natural environment?

Dreams of PWDs Female Male Total

1 People have respect to PWDs 6.7% 8.4% 15.1%

2 Facilities are available e.g. schools for PWDs, CHP centers, boreholes

6.7% 4.2% 10.8%

3 Farmers, particularly PWD farmers, supported by farming inputs

4.9% 5.9% 10.8%

4 Food enough for the people. PWDs are not deprived of food

6.9% 3.4% 10.3%

5 Contribute to country development 4.9% 2.1% 7.0%

6 People have good health, particularly the PWDs 4.9% 0.5% 5.4%

7 Local government, community give support to PWDs in any ways

1.4% 3.4% 4.8%

8 Self reliance 1.4% 2.9% 4.3%

9 Government and community acknowledge PWDs to be part of decision making

0.0% 3.1% 3.1%

10 People are responsible 1.3% 0.1% 1.4%

11 PWDs are able to attend school/ PWDs are educated 1.4% 0.0% 1.4%

12 PWDs have access to financial support 1.4% 0.0% 1.4%

13 Unity among PWDs 1.4% 0.0% 1.4%

14 Community is aware on the Rights of PWDs 1.1% 0.0% 1.1%

15 Jobs are available for PWDs 1.0% 0.0% 1.0%

16 PWDs are able to visit/ come to District Assembly 0.5% 0.0% 0.5%

17 Live a good life 0.0% 0.3% 0.3%

18 No Suggestion 11.2% 8.7% 19.9%

GENERAL TOTAL 57.0% 43.0% 100.0%

58

6. What do you want to be role of PWDs in local governance

Desired role in local governance Female Male Total

1 Be part of decision-making and representation 9.8% 9.6% 19.4%

2 Pay tax 8.4% 5.9% 14.3%

3 Increase farm income 7.4% 6.2% 13.6%

4 Vote 2.4% 2.5% 4.9% 5 Be involved in awareness raising on the Rights of PWDs 0.5% 0.4% 0.9%

6 Assist the government in infrastructure development e.g., construction, fetching water, plastering, maintenance

0.4% 0.1% 0.5%

7 Involved in community activities 0.4% 0.1% 0.5%

8 Support the government through prayers 0.4% 0.1% 0.5%

9 Initiate voluntary service for the government 0.3% 0.1% 0.4%

10 Contribute to economy through involvement in income- generating activities

0.3% 0.1% 0.4%

11 Be educated and learn skills 0.0% 0.4% 0.4%

12 To share ideas 0.3% 0.0% 0.3%

13 Support the family 0.1% 0.1% 0.3%

14 Promote peace 0.3% 0.0% 0.3%

15 Don't know, no suggestion 26.2% 17.3% 43.5%

GENERAL TOTAL 57.0% 43.0% 100.0%

Table 20. PWDs’ desired role in local governance

59

Figure 20. Percentage according to support acquired from the government

Assistance from local government

A large majority of respondents (97.7%) are not aware of any assistance,

programs or services of the government design for PWDs. The remaining

respondents (2.3%) revealed that they aware and have acquired a some

assistance from the government, such as financial support from the LEAP

Programme of the Department of Social Welfare.

From the discussions and interviews in this study, a majority of responding

PWDs are of the opinion that PWDs should be entitled to financial support from

the government. It also became clear that most respondents do not know if the

government provides any programmes, services or support for them. Most

respondents do feel that the government should support PWDs more, in ways

such as giving them loans for livelihood activities, a seat for employment,

medical support, free education and skills training, free access to public

transport and to other infrastructure such as schools for PWDs, public toilets,

roads, water and electrical power. (Please refer to Table 15. Suggestions of

PWDs addressed to local government on how they can help PWDs).

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

No support acquired Received support

Female 56.2% 0.8%

Male 41.5% 1.5%

Support from Government

60

Awareness of Laws, Policies and Legislations that is supportive of PWDs

Among the respondents, only 18.2% are aware of the existence of the Disability

Act whilst those who are not aware are 81.8%. As shown in Figure 18, of these

respondents who are not aware of any legislation or laws of PWDs, females

(46.5%) are, to some extent, higher than males (35.2%).

Awareness among respondents with educational level (6.5%) and respondents

who are members of organizations or community groups (1.3%) was somewhat

higher than the awareness of those without any organizational affiliation and

educational attainment.

Respondents, who said they are aware of any legislation or law, were asked if

they knew the name of this legislation or law. Some of them mentioned the

Disability Act 715 while others mentioned international legislation like the UN

Convention on the Rights of PWDs. The other respondents were not able to

mention any law and those respondents who are aware of the existence of the

Act are mostly not aware of its contents.

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

Aware Not Aware

Female 10.4% 46.5%

Male 7.8% 35.2%

Awareness on Disability Policies

Figure 18. Percentage according to awareness of disability policies, legislations or laws

61

Source of Information

Respondents identified the sources of their information about laws supportive of

PWDs as:

District Assembly, mentioned by 11.4%.

Media, mentioned by 19.7%.

Colleague or neighbor, mentioned by 0.9%

NGOs and other organizations, mentioned by 0.4%

Respondents who are not aware and have no access to information,

mentioned were 67.5%

District Assembly

Media Collegue NGOs None

Male 4.7% 8.1% 0.5% 0.4% 29.4%

Female 6.8% 11.7% 0.4% 0.0% 38.1%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

Sources of Information

Figure 19. Percentage according to sources of information

62

Table 11. AWARENESS ON LAWS, LEGISLATIONS AND POLICIES SUPPORTIVE OF

PWDs AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Percentage of PWDs according to awareness on laws, legislations or policies supportive of PWDs and

sources of information, Bawku West District, 2011

Awareness on Law, Policies supportive

of PWDs

Source of Information

Aware Not Aware

District Assembly

Media Neighbor/ Colleague

NGOs None

Sex

Male 7.8% 35.2% 4.7% 8.1% 0.5% 0.4% 29.4%

Female 10.4% 46.5% 6.8% 4.7% 0.4% - 38.1%

Zone

Binaba 2.9% 1.5% 2.4% 0.3% 0.9% - 0.9% Gbantongo - 8.1% - - - - 8.1% Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore 3.8% 6.9% 4.4% - - - 6.3%

Sapeliga/Googo 2.9% 13.5% 0.1% 2.5% - - 13.7%

Tanga 2.4% 3.5% 1.8% 1.1% - - 3.0%

Teshie 0.3% 10.4% 0.1% 0.8% - 0.3% 9.6%

Tilli 1.6% 2.1% - 1.6% - 0.1% 2.0%

Timonde 1.6% 4.7% - 6.2% - - 10.0%

Widnaba 1.3% 7.5% 1.9% 0.8% - - 6.2%

Zebilla 1.4% 0.9% 0.5% 1.4% - - 0.4%

Zongoyire 0.1% 22.6% 0.3% 5.2% - - 17.4%

Area

Village 16.9% 80.8% 11.0% 18.5% 0.9% 0.4% 77.2%

Town 1.4% 0.9% 0.5% 1.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4%

General Total 18.2% 81.7% 11.5% 12.8% 0.9% 0.4% 67.5%

63

VII. Children and Women with disabilities

I. Children with Disabilities

Among provisions in the Eleventh

Five Year Plan with respect to

Children with Disabilities, „Towards

Women‟s Agency & Child Rights‟,

under the section, „Providing for

Special Needs of Differently-abled

Children‟, it states:

“Discrimination and often

abandonment is a reality for them.

Ensuring access to education, health, and nutrition for children with disabilities is

a formidable challenge for the Eleventh Plan. The Plan will ensure among other

things, provision of ramps in schools, development of disabled-friendly curricula,

and training and sensitization of teachers. It is critical to see disability as a child

protection issue as well. Even today, data related to disability among

children varies with source. It is estimated that hardly 50% of disabled

children reach adulthood, and no more than 20% survive till the fourth

decade of life. Although there is very little information regarding the nutritional

status of children with disabilities, it is recognized that disabled children living in

poverty are among the most deprived in the world.”

One of the human rights goals of Ghana is to protect children against abuse,

exploitation and violence, including the elimination of discrimination against

children with disabilities. A guarantee to provide special treatment for PWDs is

stated in 1992 Republican Constitution of Ghana. Efforts have been made to

provide necessary services including facilities for the development of children

with disabilities. As this study in Bawlu West demonstrates, disabled children and

adults still face many challenges due to the disability, to poverty and to social

attitudes.

64

In the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child is considered to be any

human being below the age of 18 [CRC Article 1]. The definition therefore

includes babies, small children, older children and young people.

Many obstacles to providing

services for children with

disabilities in Ghana stem from

negative perceptions that have

existed in Ghana‟s culture for

centuries. In areas where

traditional beliefs are strong,

the birth of a disabled child

comes with additional

difficulties for the family. When

a child is born with a disability, the fault is assigned primarily to the mother

because she is seen to have failed in her role in childbirth. Failure to produce a

healthy child is traditionally attributed to past disobedience or wrongdoing

committed either by the mother or by her family. Families are often hesitant to

seek assessment service, and they tend to provide alternative explanations for

impairment, such as “a tree fell on the child,” in order to avoid spiritual

prejudices.

To look further at the way parents may understand their child‟s disability, in a

study conducted by Ghana Statistical Service in 2007, the following information

was generated about the percentage of children aged two (2) to nine (9) years

of age with disability reported by their mother or caretaker listed according to

the type of disability.

65

Table 21. Percentage of children with disability reported by their mother or caretaker

according to type of disability

Percentage of children 2-9 years of age with disability reported by their

mother or caretaker according to type of disability (HIRD Supplementary

Survey, 2007)

Percentage of children aged 2-9 years with reported disability by

type of disability

1 Delay in sitting, standing or walking 1.8%

2 Difficulty in seeing either in the day time or at night 1.6%

3 Appears to have difficulty hearing 2.7%

4 Not understanding of instruction 0.2%

5 Difficulty in walking, moving, moving arms, weakness or

stiffness

1.3%

6 Have fits, become rigid, lose consciousness 2.3%

7 Not learning to do things like other children his/her age 1.3%

8 No speaking, cannot be understood in words 1.6%

9 Appears mentally backward, dull or slow 1.4%

Percentage of children 2-9 years of age with at least one reported

disability

10.9%

Number of children aged 2-9 years 404

10 Speech is not normal 3.1%

Number of children aged 3-9 years 354

11 Cannot name at least one object 11.6%

Number of children aged 2 years 50

General total according to percentage 39.8%

General total according to total number of children aged 2-9

years

808

* Source: High Impact Rapid Delivery (HIRD) Supplementary Survey, 2007

66

It is well recognized that the

first three to four years of a

child‟s life are crucial to both

cognitive and emotional

development. Particularly, the

more a child is spoken to and

read to in a nurturing

environment, the more she/ he

will respond and develop.

Equally, studies show that

isolation and lack of

stimulation can slow down and negatively impact a child‟s development. In

many countries, the child with disability is often given least attention and

nurturance in the family and is frequently isolated from society. In the study of

Ghana Statistical Service in 2007, those parents, particularly the mothers with

education, pay attention and take enough care for the early childhood needs of

their children particularly the children with disabilities. In other words, the

education of parents of a disabled child may have a positive influence on the

child‟s growth and development.

67

Table 22. Nature of Disability and Health Condition of Children with Disabilities

Percentage of children with disabilities according to nature of disability and health condition, Bawku West District, 2011

Nature of Disability Other illness/ health condition aside from disability

Visually Impaired

Hearing

Impaired

Orthopedically

handicapped

Deaf Epileptic

Leprosy

Mental Illness

Others (e.g., smaller than the his age,

have big mass on the navel)

Body pains

Leg/ knee/ foot

problem, swollen

Ear pain

Eye pain

Skin disease

Stomach pain

Response is

"yes" only

No other illness

Sex

Male 0.5% 0.3% 1.3% - 0.1% 0.1% 0.3% 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% - 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 2.6% Female 0.4% 0.3% 1.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.1% - - 0.1% 0.1% - - - 0.8% 1.6% Zone

Binaba - - 0.4% - - 0.1% - - - - - - - - - - Gbantongo - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore

- - - - 0.1% - - -

- - - - - - 0.1% 0.1%

Sapeliga/Googo - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tanga 0.1% - 0.1% - 0.1% - - - - 0.1% 0.1% - - - - - Teshie 0.3% 0.3% 0.6% - - - 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% - - 0.1% 0.1% 0.3% 0.3% Tilli - - - - - - - - - 0.1% - - - - - -

Timonde 0.3% - 0.3% - 0.1% - - - - - - 0.1% - - 0.3% 0.3% Widnaba - - 0.1% - - - - - - 0.1% - - - - - -

Zebilla - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Zongoyire 0.3% 0.3% 1.0% 0.3% - - 0.3% 0.1% - - - - - - 0.3% 0.3% Area

Village 0.9% 0.5% 2.5% 0.3% 0.4% 0.1% 0.4% 0.3% 0.1% 0.5% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.9% 0.9% Town - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Age

5-15 y/o 0.4% 0.4% 0.6% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 0.3% 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% 0.1% - 0.1% 0.1% 0.4% 0.4% 16-25 y/o 0.5% 0.1% 1.9% 0.1% 0.1% - 0.1% - - 0.1% - 0.1% - - 0.5% 0.5% Education

None - - - - - - 0.4% - 0.1% 0.4% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% - 0.8% 0.8% Primary 0.3% 0.1% 0.8% 0.4% 0.4 0.1% - 0.3% - 0.1% - - - 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% JHS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SHS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

68

Nature of Disability Other illness/ health condition aside from disability

Visually Impaired

Hearing

Impaired

Orthopedically

handicapped

Deaf Epileptic

Leprosy

Mental Illness

Others (e.g., smaller than the his age,

have big mass on the navel)

Body pains

Leg/ knee/ foot

problem, swollen

Ear pain

Eye pain

Skin disease

Stomach pain

Response is

"yes" only

No other illness

Vocational/ College

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

General Total 0.9% 0.5% 2.5%

0.3% 0.4% 0.1% 0.4% 0.3% 0.1% 0.5% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

0.9% 0.9%

69

II. Women with Disabilities

Women with disabilities are the

poorest of the poor around the

world. In every sphere of life, a

majority of women with

disabilities, particularly in

developing countries, suffer the

triple discrimination of: (1) being

female; (2) being disabled; and

(3) being poor. They face

infringement of rights at every

level. Almost all are considered a financial burden and social liability by their

families. They face more violence than non-disabled. Most of them experience a

high incidence of sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

From the fact sheet prepared by Rehabilitation International and World Institute

on Disability, basic facts and data on the worldwide situation of women and girls

with disabilities provided to delegates to the UN 4th World Conference and

associated NGO Forum:

In some countries disabled females have a higher excessive mortality rate than

do disabled males. For example, although polio strikes females and males

equally, research in one country recorded more than twice the number of boys

with effects of polio than girls. This unusual finding was explained by the fact

that boys survived polio twice as often while many girls may have died before

they could be counted in the study. 15This study supports the common

observation in many developing countries that families take sickness or disability

among male children more seriously than that of girls, resulting in more visits

for boys to medical and health services.

Women make up more than 65% of the world's illiterate--about 600 million

15

Prejudice and Dignity, United Nations Development Program, 1992 p.33

70

women do not know how to read or write. 16 In Africa, this percentage rises to

85%. 17 Recent UNESCO studies have suggested that only approximately 1-2%

of disabled children in developing countries receive any education, and it is well-

known from field studies that disabled boys attend schools much more

frequently than disabled girls. These studies are confirmed by presentations

made to the UN Experts Seminar on Women and Disability (Vienna 1990), that

in many countries it is still the norm that a girl with a disability will be hidden at

home. A 1994 conference on "Blind Women in Africa" presented information

from 32 countries, demonstrating that access to literacy programs and education

was often their only way to avoid a life of begging in the streets for survival. 18

Regardless of country or

culture, from the least

developed to the most highly

developed nations, disabled

women are employed at rates

far lower than disabled men.

The pattern is established

early on and is similar from

country to country: as girls

they have less access to

education; as adolescents,

they have fewer chances to socialize or receive guidance about planning their

futures; and as adults they have fewer chances to receive rehabilitation services

and enter training programs or the labor market. Additionally, unlike other

women, they have little chance to enter a marriage or inherit property which can

offer a form of economic security. (Studies include: Vocational Rehabilitation of

Disabled Women in the European Community, 1988; Vocational Rehabilitation of

Women with Disabilities, I.D., 1988; Women with Disabilities, the Economics of

Double Jeopardy, RI, 1992, World Congress Proceedings).

16

World of Work, ILO May/ June, 1995 p.4 17

Women and Disability, UN Non-Governmental Liason Service, 1991 p.31 18

World Blind, July 94 – March 95, 00. 66-69

71

For women in any society, having a disability signifies dependency, weakness,

loss of status and relegation to an unproductive, genderless role in the

community. Any girl or woman with a disability who chooses to fight this

demeaning stereotype and take part in her community and society has an uphill,

lonely battle. Studies have shown that the disabled women who do manage to

break through the walls of prejudice and discrimination usually have benefited

from strong role models and/or support groups of their peers. Strong networks,

are needed to enable girls and women with disabilities to support each other in

their efforts to join the world. 19

Further, physical and sexual

violence against disabled girls and

women occurs at alarming rates

within families, in institutions, and

throughout society. Disabled

women's groups are beginning to

address this issue through self-

defense courses, political pressure

for studies of the situation, and

pressure for inclusion of disabled

women within shelters and other services for abused women.

The world over, responsibility for care of people with disabilities, from infancy to

aging parents, is overwhelmingly consigned to women. The Alternative

Copenhagen Declaration (1995 World Summit on Social Development) called for

men to begin sharing the responsibility for assistance needed by children and

adults with disabilities.

19

Pride against Prejudice, 1991, London

72

Table 23. Nature of Disability and Health Condition of Women with Disabilities

Percentage of women with disabilities according to nature of disability and health condition, Bawku West District, 2011

Nature of Disability Other illness aside from disability

Visually Impaired

Hearing

Impaired

Orthopedically

handicapped

Difficulty moving, weaknes

s, stiffness

Deaf Epileptic

Leprosy Mental Illness

Others disabili

ty

Stomach disease

Heart problem

Headache

Fever Breast nodule

Difficulty

manuring

Body pains

Goiter

Sex

Male - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Female 38.6% 7.8% 5.2% 6.7% 1.3% 0.9% 0.6% 0.4% 0.1% 1.5% 0.6% 0.8% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 2.5% 0.3%

Zone

Binaba 0.9% 0.5% 0.5% 0.1% - - - - 0.3% - - - - - - -

Gbantongo 2.8% 0.1% 0.9% - - - - - - 0.1% - - - - -

Saka/Yikurugu/Kobore

5.7% 1.5% 0.1% 1.1% 0.1% - - - - 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.1% 0.1% - 0.6% -

Sapeliga/Googo

6.3% 1.9% 0.4% 1.0% - 0.5% 0.4% 0.1% - 0.1% - 0.1% - - - 0.1% -

Tanga 1.5% 0.9% 0.8% 0.1% - - - - - 0.4% - - - - - -

Teshie 2.4% 1.0% 1.0% 1.8% 0.4% 0.1% - - 0.1% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% - - 0.1% 0.8% 0.1%

Tilli 1.8% 0.8% 0.1% - - - - - - - - - - - 0.6% -

Timonde 2.0% 0.8% 0.3% 0.6% - 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% - - - - - - - -

Widnaba 4.4% 0.1% 0.3% - - 0.1% 0.1% - - 0.1% - - - - 0.3% 0.1%

Zebilla 1.0% - - 0.3% 0.4% - - - - - - - - - - 0.1% -

Zongoyire 9.9% 0.8% 0.9% 1.3% 0.4% - - - - - - - - - - - -

Area

Village 37.6% 7.8% 5.2% 6.4% 1.0% 0.9% 0.6% 0.4% 0.1% 1.5% 0.6% 0.8% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 2.4% 0.3%

Town 1.0% 0.3% 0.4% 0.1%

Age

5-15 y/o - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

16-25 y/o 0.3% 1.0% 0.8% 0.1% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% - - 0.1% - - - - - 0.3% -

26-35 y/o 0.8% 1.0% 1.0% 1.1% 0.3% 0.6% - - - 0.1% - - - - - 0.3% -

36-45 y/o 1.6% 0.9% 0.4% 0.8% 0.3% - - - - 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% - - - 0.3% -

46-55 y/o 4.5% 1.0% 0.8% 1.5% 0.3% - - 0.1% - 0.6% 0.3% 0.1% - 0.1% 0.5% -

56-65 y/0 9.2% 1.6% 0.9% 1.8% 0.1% - 0.4% 0.1% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 0.1% - 0.1% - 0.5% 0.1%

66-75 y/o 10.1% 1.9% 1.1% 0.8% 0.1% - - 0.1% - 0.3% 0.1% 0.3% - - - 0.5% 0.1%

73

Nature of Disability Other illness aside from disability

Visually Impaired

Hearing

Impaired

Orthopedically

handicapped

Difficulty moving, weaknes

s, stiffness

Deaf Epileptic

Leprosy Mental Illness

Others disabili

ty

Stomach disease

Heart problem

Headache

Fever Breast nodule

Difficulty

manuring

Body pains

Goiter

76-85 y/o 6.0% 0.4% 0.3% 0.4% - - - - - - - 0.1% - - - 0.3% -

86-98 y/o 0.8% 0.1% - - - - - - - 0.1% - - - - -

Education

None 38.1% 7.7% 4.3% 6.7% 1.3% 0.9% 0.6% 0.4% 0.1% 1.4% 0.6% 0.8% 0.1% 0.1% 2.5% 0.3%

Primary 0.5% 0.1% 0.4% - - - - - - 0.1% - - 0.1% - - - -

JHS - - 0.1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SHS - - 0.1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Vocational/ College

- - 0.3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

General Total

38.6% 7.8% 5.2% 6.7% 1.3%

0.9% 0.6% 0.4% 0.1% 1.5% 0.6% 0.8% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 2.5% 0.3%

74

CHAPTER 4

Conclusions and Recommendations

Chapter 4 looks at the conclusions and recommendations of the study.

I. Conclusion

Ghana is well positioned to promote the inclusion of PWDs. Disability Act 715

reformed the way of thinking in Ghana since most of policies take into account the

situation of PWDs and seeks to find a way of integrating them.

The government obligated itself, through its Constitution, to work with all its

financial and political capacity to care for the needs of marginalized and vulnerable

people, including PWDs.

The organizations and associations of PWDs should reinforce their advocacy and

execute a much needed opinion poll of PWDs as soon as possible.

Equally, the government should adopt policies and appropriate legal mechanisms to

integrate PWDs in the existing system. Further, allotment of adequate budget to

increase provision of services for the welfare of PWDs is also necessary.

Resource institutions such as non-government organizations should work closely

with PWD associations and organizations including government entities to improve

awareness of society on the problem being faced by PWDs.

75

II. Recommendations

The results of this study stem from the recommendations of PWDs during

discussion and community survey which should be taken for consideration:

To government To association/

federation of PWDs

To organizations

working with PWDs

Efficient implementation

of 2% common fund for

PWDs disbursement

Go all-out to disseminate

the promotion of welfare

and interest as member

Support the government

and associations of PWDs

to promote and sensitize

the people on the rights of

PWDs. This may either be

technical or funding

assistance or both

Provision of effective

health care for PWDs i.e.,

health insurance scheme,

monitoring and other

health programs for PWDs

Support the government

and organizations working

with PWDs

Facilitate provision of

special policy for PWDs

access to public buildings

and other infrastructures

Involve in community

rehabilitation of PWDs

Provision of sufficient

facility and equipment for

children with disabilities to

enable them to study

suitably

Develop public awareness

programmes or

information collaterals on

PWDs

Install clear policy to

employ or for employing

76

PWDs

Develop trained

government staff e.i.,

teachers, health

personnel, social workers

to provide extra care for

PWDs

Initiate and promote

preventive measures on

disability

Provision of rehabilitation

of PWDs

Assist the organization of

PWDs and other resource

institution working with

PWDs

The study showed that there is a greater degree of disability among illiterate

families due to lack of awareness on disability and the rights of persons with

disabilities. Other recommendations listed below:

1. Promotion of awareness on disabilities. Promotion of awareness through

intensified Information Education and Communication (IEC) Campaigns for all

segments of the population.

2. Peer Education among PWDs. Training of PWDs to train other PWDs about

their rights and capabilities.

3. Coverage of assistive devices for PWDs in the National Health

Insurance Scheme. Include assistive devices (e.g., crutches, callipers,

wheelchairs, white-canes, hearing aids) and rehabilitative operation

treatment in the coverage of NHIS.

77

CHAPTER 5

Institutions involved in disability work in Ghana

Chapter 5 aims to give description of the institutions/ organizations involved in

disability work in Ghana.

I. Organizations of persons with disabilities20

In Ghana, local associations provide for relief and assistance to persons with

disabilities. Their work mostly in advocacy, awareness raising and total integration

of PWDs in the society. They are also offering services to disabled people.

Ghana Federation of the Disabled

Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) was established in 1987 as a national

umbrella organization of PWDs. The mission of GFD is “to create awareness about

the capacities and capabilities of PWDs and to promote the equalization of

opportunities of PWDs through advocacy, lobbying and collaboration with other

relevant agencies.”* To create this awareness, GFD educates executives of Ministry

Departments and government agencies about the Disability Law and other issues

concerning disability. GFD tries to strengthen its members at district level to enable

them to access the percentage of the common fund which is given out at through

the District Assemblies.

Ghana Association of the Blind

GAB was founded in 1963. Its mission is “to advocate for the blind, and work for

their total integration into society through the development of services in

education, rehabilitation, awareness creation and the promotion of the rights of

women, youth and children”. GAB raises public awareness about the need for

20

Ghana Federation of the Disabled website

78

inclusion of people with a visual impairment in the society; encourages parents to

send their children to school; sponsors children with a visual impairment to go to

school; and engages the civil society. Besides these activities GAB also educates

people with a visual impairment about their rights and encourages them to accept

their disability and to use their potentials.

Ghana National Association of the Deaf

The mission of GNAD is “to mobilize members, remove communication barriers,

create awareness on deaf issues, and advocate for equal opportunities for the

deaf”.

GNAD encourages self-employment for the hearing impaired and embarks on

income generating activities like batik, crop farming and citrus farming. GNAD

organizes workshops for its members to convince them that they are capable of

doing everything a person without a disability can do. It also encourages people

with a hearing impairment to get higher education to serve as a role model. GNAD

educates the public and parents about causes and prevention of deafness and the

capabilities of people with hearing impairments. GNAD has published a Deaf

Awareness Book which is spread to policy makers to make them aware of the

situation of people with hearing impairments.

Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled

GSPD was founded in 1980. It promotes the welfare of its members by creating

awareness of the capacities and capabilities of persons with physical disabilities

through advocacy and by lobbying for their rights. GSPD has a chalk factory where

persons with physical disabilities can work and organizes cultural activities and

sports tournaments for the physically disabled. GSPD has awareness-raising

programs for the public in communities, health centres and churches about the

capacities, needs and rights of PWDs and the challenges they meet in terms of

health, education and employment. Through radio shows PWDs inform the public

about their disability and people can call in and ask questions. GSPD also offers a

79

training program for persons with a physical disability to learn leadership skills and

to enable them to manage, advocate and lobby for their own rights.

Parents Association of Children with Intellectual Disability

PACID was established in September 2001 to give support to the many parents and

guardians of children having an intellectual disability in Ghana and also advocates

for policies and programmes that will serve their interest. PACID is made up of

parents, guardians, teachers, doctors and other professionals throughout Ghana.

The main objectives of PACID are to spread education, awareness and good news

about children with intellectual disability.

The activities of the branch of PACID in Ho are focused on organizing and

supporting parents and educating them how to handle and take care of their child

with an intellectual disability. Mothers are taught how to train their children in

eating, bathing and getting dressed so the children will be able to do things by

themselves. PACID Volta also encourages parents to get their children outside the

houses and gives education in communities and churches about intellectual

disabilities.

II. National and International Organization Working for PWDs

Both International and local organizations have strong dedication to support the

persons with disabilities. They work towards integrating PWDs in the mainstream of

societies.

World Vision21

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated

to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and

injustice.

21

World Vision Ghana website

80

Inspired by Christian values, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world‟s

most vulnerable people. We serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity,

or gender.

World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to follow

our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to

promote human transformation, seek justice, and bear witness to the good news of

the Kingdom of God.

Voluntary Service Overseas22

VSO is an international development agency that has been working in Ghana since

1958. VSO has been supporting PWDs as a priority area for over 10 years. The

organization aims to support and complement the effort of government and non-

governmental organizations to assist PWDs to realize their potential and claim their

rights as equal and active members of Ghanaian society.

VSOs approach to disability is based on the principles that (1) disability is a human

rights and a development issue and (2) disability in development is primarily about

promoting inclusive development. VSO aims to remove the barriers within society

that prevent PWDs from fully enjoying their human rights and to support people

with disabilities in exercising their rights and to promote their full inclusion and

active participation as equal members of their families, communities and societies.

Center for Democratic Development23

CDD is an independent research-based and policy-oriented think tank in Accra,

founded in 1998. It is dedicated to the promotion of democracy, good governance

and the development of a liberal political and economic environment in Ghana in

particular and Africa in general. In so doing, CDD-Ghana seeks to enhance the

22

Voluntary Service Overseas website 23 Attitudes towards People with Disabilities in Ghana

81

democratic content of public policy and to advance the cause of constitutionalism,

individual liberty, the rule of law, and integrity in public life.

Sightsavers24

Sightsavers works towards total elimination of the conditions that cause blindness

and the ultimate inclusion of blind people in society. The organization supports

people who are irreversibly blind by providing education, counselling and training.

Sightsavers has been working in Ghana since the 1950s and currently works in the

Western, Eastern, Volta and Greater Accra Region. Sightsavers Ghana is working

with the Ministry of Health to support the current five-year action plan for eye care

at both regional and national levels. Sightsavers also cooperates with the Ministry

of Education to enable children with a visual impairment to attend regular schools

in their community to enable them to grow up in their own environment and not be

cut off from their family. Sight Savers supports the Special Education Division with

logistics like teaching materials.

III. Special Schools and Rehabilitation Centres

Aside from the associations and organizations mentioned above, there are also

public centres that offer services to disabled people. The main ones are listed

below.

Dzorwulu Special School

It was started in 1968 by a non-governmental group called the Friends of the

Mentally Retarded. It became a public, government-funded school in 1970.

Admission to Dzorwulu is contingent upon additional assessment as well as

availability of openings. Further challenges to providing services at Dzorwulu

include the accommodation of diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, curriculum

development, inadequate dormitory facilities and insufficient faculty and staff to

provide for a growing student body, and lack of government funding to finance

expansion.

24

Attitudes Towards Persons with Disabilities in Ghana

82

Autism Awareness Care and Training Centre (AACT)

The ACCT was founded in 1998 and became affiliated with the Global Autism Project

(GAP) in February, 2005 and currently operates, with funding from GAP, as a non-

governmental, non-profit organization. Challenges to providing services through

the AACT include particularly rigorous parent expectations in a third world country:

admission fees, provision of transportation and an attendant for their student, and

involvement in the PTA.

Edwenase Rehabilitation Centre for PWDS

It's a government institution under the Ministry of Social Welfare. The Centre was

established by the first President of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah in 1958. The

Centre provides rehabilitation and vocational services to persons with disabilities

from age 13 and above. Currently, there are about 70 trainees in the Centre. The

Center can take about 300 trainees. Many PWDS who have trained in the Centre

became craft teachers in primary schools while majority of them are self employed.

83

List of Reference

Ghana Statistical Service, High Impact Rapid Delivery Supplementary Survey,

2007. Monitoring the situation of children and women, Upper East Region

Alexander Tetteh, Employment Challenges for People with Disabilities

Jacqueline Slikker, May 2009, Attitudes towards People with Disabilities in

Ghana

Rehabilitation Centre – Kumasi, Department of Social Welfare, powerpoint

presentation on disability

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Seven Hundred and Fifteenth Act of the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana

entitled Persons with Disability Act 715, 2006

Fact Sheet, Rehabilitation International and World Institute on Disability

CRC Article 1, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Eleventh Five Year Plan, Towards Women‟s Agency and Child Rights

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)

Ghana Federation of the Disabled website, www.gfdgf.org

National Health Insurance Scheme, www.ghanaweb.com

84

Appendices

Appendix 1. List of personnel involved in the survey

Management Team

James A. Ayesake District Director, Department of Social

Welfare

Sergious Before World Vision, ADP-Bawku West

Monaliza V. Calapini Gender Development Advisor, VSO Volunteer/ Research Project Leader

Field Interviewers/ Researchers

James A. Ayesake Edward A. Akiribila

Monaliza V. Calapini Samuel Awinzor

Field Liasons

Solomon Ayaba Zebilla

Victor Ayambire

Hemidu Alaaba Saka/ Yikurugu/ Kobore

Siedu Adabogo

Akulobe Agesah Sapeliga/ Googo

Benjamin Atiah

Daniel Atiah Timonde/ Tanga

Monica Azougo

Robert Asaa Binaba/ Gbantongo

Samson Ayadago

Paul Apandago Tilli

Awagbilla Ndedago

Alekari Victor Zongoyire

Imoro Sumani

Alaldago Ayadago Teshie

Ayarik Adaabil Widnaba

Data Entry Listers/ Tabulators

Monaliza V. Calapini Edward A. Akiribila

Apanga A. Grace

Consultant/ Editor

Nancy Keith VSO Volunteer

Raj Kumar Prasad VSO Volunteer

Report Writer

Monaliza V. Calapini Gender Development Advisor, VSO Volunteer/ Research Project Leader

85

Appendix 2. Person with Disability Act 715, 2006

The Seven Hundred and Fifteenth Act of the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana

Entitled Persons with Disability Act, 2006, an Act to provide for persons with

disability, to establish a National Council on person with disability and to provide for

related maters. The Act on the Rights of Persons with Disability was assented on 9th

August 2011 and enacted by the President and Parliament.

Article 1: Right to family life and social activities

Section 1: A person with disability shall not be deprived of the right to live

with that person‟s family or the right to participate in social, political, economic,

creative or recreational activities.

Article 2: Differential treatment in respect of residence

Section 2: Except as otherwise required by the condition or the need for

improvement of a person with disability, a person shall not subject a person with

disability to differential treatment in respect of residence.

Article 3: Living conditions in specialized establishments

Section 3: Where a person with disability has to be put in a specialized

establishment, the environment and living conditions of the establishment shall,

except as otherwise required by the condition of the person with disability, be as

close as possible to those of a person without disability of the same age as the

person with disability.

Article 4: Exploitation of and discrimination against persons with disability

Section 4: (1) A person shall not discriminate against, exploit or subject a person

with disability to abusive or degrading treatment.

86

(2) An employer shall not discriminate against prospective employee

or an employee on grounds of disability unless the disability is in respect of the

relevant employment.

Article 5: Party to Judicial Proceedings

Section 5: Where a person with disability is a part in judicial proceedings, the

adjudicating body shall take into account the condition of the persons with disability

and provide appropriate facilities that enable the persons with disability to

participate effectively in the proceedings.

Article 6: Access to public place

Section 6: The owner or occupier of a place to which the public has access shall

provide appropriate facilities that make the place accessible to and available for use

by a person with disability.

Article 7: Access to public service

Section 7: A person who provides any service to the public shall put in place the

necessary facilities that make the service available and accessible to a person with

disability.

Article 8: Penalty for contravention

Section 8: A person who contravenes section 1,2,4,6 or 7 commits offence and is

liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty penalty units or to a term

of imprisonment not exceedingly three month or to both.

87

The Education Policy for the Disabled Persons

Article 16: Education of a child disability

Section 16: (1) A parent, guardian or custodian of a child with disability of school

going age shall enroll the child in a school.

(2) A parent, guardian or custodian who contravenes subsection (1)

commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceedingly

ten penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding fourteen days.

Article 17: Facilities and equipment in education institutions

Section 17: The Minister of Education shall by legislative Instrument designate

schools or institutions in each region which shall provide the necessary facilities and

equipment that will enable the persons with disability to fully benefit from the

school or institution.

Article 18: Free education and special schools

Section 18: The Government shall:

(a) Provide free education for a person with disability; and

(b) Establish special schools for persons with disability who by reason of

their disability cannot be enrolled in formal schools.

Article 19: Appropriate training for basic school graduates

Section 19: Where a person with disability has completed basic education but is

unable to pursue further formal education, the Ministry shall provide the person

with appropriate training.

Article 20: Refusal of admission on account of disability

Section 20: (1) A person responsible for admission into a school or other institution

of learning shall not refuse to give admission to a person with disability on account

of the disability unless the person with disability has been assesses by the Ministry

88

responsible for Education in collaboration with the Ministries responsible for Health

and Social Welfare to be a person who clearly requires to be in a special school for

children or person with disability.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence

and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceedingly fifty penalty units or

imprisonment for a term not exceedingly three month or to both.

Article 21: Special education in technical, vocational and teacher training

institutions

Section 21: The Minister of Education shall by legislative instrument designate in

each region public technical, vocational and teacher training institutions which shall

include in their curricula special such as sign language and Braille writing and

reading.

Article 22: Library facility

Section 22: A public library shall as far as practical be fitted with facilities that will

enable a person with disability to use the library.

89

Health policies

Article 31: Medical treatment

Section 31: The Ministry of Health in formulating health policies shall provide for

free general and specialist medical care, rehabilitative operation treatment and

appropriate assistive devices for persons with total disability.

Article 32: Training of health professional

Section 32: The Ministry of Health shall include the study of disability and disability

related issues in the curricula of training institutions for health professionals to

develop appropriate human resources to provide general and specialized

rehabilitation services.

Article 33: Health programmes

Section 33: The Ministry of Health shall include education on disability and disability

issues in health care programmes.

Article 34: Periodic screening of children

Section 34: The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministries responsible

for Education and Social Welfare shall provide for the periodic screening of children

in order to detect, prevent and manage disability.

Article 35: Establishment of assessment centres

Section 35: The Ministry of Health in collaboration with District Assemblies and the

Ministry responsible for Social Welfare shall establish and operate health

assessment and resource centers in each district and provide early diagnostic

medical attention to mothers and infants to determine the existence or onset of

disability.

90

Employment Policy

Article 9: Public employment centres

Section 9: The Ministry shall through the public employment centres, assist to

secure jobs for persons with disability.

Article 10: Promotion of employment of persons with disabilities

Section 10: (1) The Government shall grant a person with disability an annual tax

rebate of the taxable income in respect of each person with disability employed as

shall be prescribed in Regulations made under this Act.

(2) The Government shall grant special incentives to persons with

disability engaged in business and also to business organizations that employ

person with disability.

Article 11: Provision of tools

Section 11: Required by the persons with disability for the efficient performance of

the functions required by the employment

Article 12: Posting, transfer and redeployment of persons with disability

Section 12: (1) An employer shall not post or transfer a person with disability to a

section or place of the establishment not suited for the person.

(2) Where a person n employment suffers a disability as a result of

the employment, the employer shall counsel, re-train and re-deploy the person to

another section more suited to the person with disability and this shall be in

addition to any other relief which the employee is entitled to under the Workmen‟s

Compensation Law, 1987 (PNDCL 187).

Article 13: Appropriate training for the unemployed person with disability

91

Section 13: (1) Where the name of a person with disability remains on a job search

list for more than two years, the Ministry shall take the name of that person off the

list, and where applicable:

d. give that person appropriate training

e. provide that person with necessary working tools and materials, and

f. assist that person to access loan capital for that person to start a

business.

(2) A person with disability who sells the tools or materials received

under subsection (1) and a person who buys the tools or materials given to a

person with disability under subsection (1) commits an offence and each person is

liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty

units o to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both.

Article 14: Rehabilitation centres

Section 14: (1) The Ministry shall progressively establish rehabilitation centres in

region and in districts for persons with disability

(2) A rehabilitation centres shall offer guidance, counseling and

appropriate training for person with disability who are unable to enter into the

mainstream of social life.

(3) A rehabilitation shall be provided wit the staff and other facilities

that are necessary for the performance of its functions.

Article 15: Community-based rehabilitation

Section 15: The Ministry shall ensure that as far as practicable person with

disability, shall be rehabilitated in their communities, to faster their integration.

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Other Policies

Article 34: Periodic screening of children

Section 34: The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministries responsible

for education and Social Welfare shall provide for the periodic screening of children

in order to detect, prevent and manage disability.

Article 35: Establishment of Assessment Centers

Section 35: The Ministry of Health in collaboration with District Assemblies and the

Ministry responsible for Social Welfare shall establish and operate health

assessment and resource centres in each district and provide early diagnostic

medical attention to mothers and infants to be determine the existence onset of

disability.

Article 36: Incentive for Manufacturers of Technical Aids and Appliances

Section 36: A person who manufactures technical aids or appliances in the country

for the use of persons with disability shall be giving tax exemption that the

Ministries in consultation with the Minister for Finance may determine regulations.

Article 37: Derogatory names

Section 37: (1) A person shall not call a person with disability derogatory names

because of disability of the person

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence

and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifteen penalty units or

to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both.

Article 38: Access to sporting event, festivals and cultural activities

Section 38: The Ministry responsible for Education and Sports, the district

assemblies and the National Commission for Culture shall as practicable ensure,

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through the provision of adequate facilities, programs and incentives, that person

wth disability have access to sports and cultural events.

Article 39: Participation in national activities

Section 39: A person or institution which organizes a national, regional or district

activity, shall as far as practicable ensure that facilities are made available for the

participation in the activity by persons with disability

Article 40: Law enforcement and persons with disability

Section 40: (1) Law enforcement agencies shall take into consideration a disability

of a person on arrest, detention, trial or confinement of the person and provide for

that person accordingly.

(2) Institutions for the training of law enforcement personnel, shall have

as part of their curricula, the study of disability and disability related

issues.

Article 41: Establishment of National Council on Persons with Disability

Section 41: There is established by this Act a body to be known as the National

Council on Persons with Disability.

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Appendix 3. Baseline Survey Tool

BASELINE STUDY ON THE STATUS, FAMILY AND SOCIO ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN BAWKU WEST DISTRICT

Zone:……………………………..

Village:……………………………

SURVEY FORM #___

I. GENERAL INFORMATION: Name: ………………………………………………… Age: ……… Sex: ( ) Male ( ) Female Home Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Religion: …………………… Civil Status: …………… No. of Children: …………………… Current schooling status: ( ) In school ( ) Out of school What was the highest grade completed? ( ) Primary: ………. ( ) Junior High: ………. ( ) Senior High: …………… ( ) College/ University: ……………………………………………………........................... ( ) Vocational Education/ Training: …………………………………………………………… ( ) Others: ……………………………………………………………………………………….. If not studying or had stop in schooling, please state the reason: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Registered in Social Welfare Department?: ( ) No ( ) Yes If NO, please explain: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Do you have any health problems? ( ) None ( ) Yes If YES, please state your health problem/s and explain the effect in your activities in anyway: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Do you or any one else in the household have any long-standing illnesses, health problems or disabilities that limit your/ their activity or the kind of work that you/ they can do?

( ) None ( ) Yes

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If YES, please explain why: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Do you stay in your family house? ( ) No ( ) Yes If NO, please state where and why? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

II. NATURE, CAUSE AND TREATMENT OF DISABILITY/ IES

1. Nature of Disability/ ies: ( ) Visually Impaired ( ) Hearing Impaired ( ) Orthopedically handicapped ( ) Leprosy deformity ( ) Mental Illness ( ) Mental retardation ( ) Others (please specify): ……………………………………………

2. Cause of Disability/ies:

( ) Disability at birth ( ) Disability due to accident ( ) Disability due to old age ( ) Others (please specify):……………………………………………

3. Have you undergone treatment on your disability/ies? ( ) No ( ) Yes If YES, please state the treatment: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

III. EMPLOYMENT STATUS 1. Occupation:

( ) Employed (please state the work/ profession): …………………………… ( ) Self-employed (please state the work activity/ies): ………………………. ( ) Do not want ( ) Unable to work ( ) Would like to work but not available to start or not seeking ( ) Others (please specify)………………………………………………………

1. Do you have any personal relation to your employer? ( ) None ( ) Yes

If YES, how are you related to him/her? …………………………………………………

2. What is your employment status? ( ) Regular ( ) Seasonal ( ) Contractual ( ) Others (please specify): ………………………………………………

3. How long have you been employed? ………………………………………………….. 4. What do you do in your work? ………………………………………………………….. 5. Are you being paid for your work? ( ) No ( ) Yes

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If YES, how are you paid? ( ) Daily rate ( ) Weekly rate ( ) Monthly rate ( ) Others (please specify): ………………………………………………

6. How many hours of work do you render in a typical day? …………………………. 7. On average, how much do you receive in a month? ………………………………… 8. What are the benefits claimed from the employer?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

IV. HOUSEHOLD ROSTER

1. Name of the household member? ……………………………………………………… 2. How is (THE NAME OF HH) related to the respondent? …………………………… 3. Is (NAME OF HH) male or female? ( ) Male ( ) Female 4. How old is (NAME OF HH MEMBER) now? ……………………………………………. 5. What is the religion of (NAME OF HH MEMBER)? …………………………………… 6. What is the main occupation of NAME OF HH MEMBER? …………………………. 7. What is the marital status of (NAME OF HH MEMBER?

( ) Single ( ) Married ( ) Widowed ( ) Separated

8. Current schooling status by (NAME OF HH MEMBER) ( ) In school ( ) Out of School ( ) Others (please specify): ……………………………………………………..

9. What was the highest grade that was completed by (NAME OF HH MEMBER)?

( ) Primary ( ) Junior High School ( ) Senior High School ( ) College ( ) Others (please specify):………………………………………………………

10. Any family members now living abroad? ( ) None ( ) Yes

If YES, please specify how is he/she related to the respondent: ……………………

11. Age ……………… 12. Sex: ( ) Male ( ) Female 13. Country:………… 14. Reason of staying abroad: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15. List of IMMEDIATE Family Members

Name of Family Members

Relationship Age Occupation Estimated Income per Month

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NOTE: Please use separate sheet if needed.

16. Do you have electricity? ( ) None ( ) Yes 17. Do you have your own water facility? ( ) None ( ) Yes

V. SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

1. Please describe the home where you live: ( ) It is owned or being brought by you ( or someone in the household) ( ) Rented for money by you (or someone in the household) ( ) Occupied without payment ( ) Live with friends ( ) Live with family ( ) No permanent residence

2. Do you have any health care? ( ) None ( ) Yes If YES, how do you pay for your health care?: ( ) Government funding ( ) Private Insurance ( ) Self pay, out of pocket ( ) Others (please specify): ……………………………………………

VI. PROPERTIES/ MATERIALS OWNED

1. Appliances/ consumer durables? ( ) Television ( ) Gas range ( ) Radio/ Cassette ( ) Gas Stove ( ) Stereo ( ) Electric fan ( ) DVD/ VCD Player ( ) Couch Set ( ) Refrigerator ( ) Dining set ( ) Cellular phone ( ) Electric iron ( ) Others (please specify): …………………………………………………….

2. Livestock/ Poultry? ( ) Cow ( ) Fowl ( ) Horse ( ) Donkey ( ) Goat ( ) Guinea Fowl ( ) Other poultry (please specify): ………………………………………………

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3. Crops? ( ) Vegetable (please specify the type): ……………………………………… ( ) Grains ( please specify the type): ………………………………………… ( ) Fruit trees (please specify the type): ……………………………………… ( ) Root crops (please specify the type): ……………………………………. ( ) Others (please specify): …………………………………………………….

4. Vehicles? ( ) Bicycle ( ) Motorcycle ( ) Car ( ) Others (please specify):……………………………………………………

5. Land, how many hectares? Or square meters? ( ) More than 5 hectares ( ) 3 – 5 hectares ( ) 1 – 2 hectares ( ) Less than 1 hectare ( ) None

VII. SOCIO ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 1. Number of household members, including the respondent: ……………………………

Number of males:……………………… Number of females: ……………

2. Household structure (household-common kitchen arrangements): ( ) Nuclear ( ) Extended

3. Number of children below 0 – 4 years old: ……………………………………… 4. Number of household members 5 – 14 yrs old: ………………………………… 5. Number of household members 15 -64 yrs old: ……………………………….. 6. Primary source of household income: …………………………………………..

VIII. ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPATION

1. Name of organization? …………………………………………………………………… 2. Position (If officer, please specify): ……………………………………………………. 3. How many years involve in the organization? ……………………………………… 4. Do you have any skills acquired during your membership? ( ) No ( ) Yes

If YES, what are the skills you acquired: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

IX. AWARENESS AND AVAILMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE/ PROGRAMS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

1. Are you aware of laws, policies that are supportive of PWDs? ( ) No ( ) Yes If YES, what are these laws or policies? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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2. What is/are your sources of information for these? ( ) Media ( ) District Assembly ( ) Neighbor/ Collegues ( ) Information materials eg. Posters, pamphlets etc. ( ) Others (please specify): …………………………… 3. Is there any support or services obtained from the local government? ( ) No ( ) Yes

If YES, please state the support acquired from the government: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4. Is there any allowance or financial support acquired from government or from other organization? ( ) None ( ) Yes If YES, please identify the institution and estimated amount received: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

X. GOVERNMENT ROLE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

1. What would you suggest to the local government how they can help PWD? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. What role do you like your municipality to perform in relation to the “outside world”, i.e.,the region and/or the country in general?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3. What do you want your people (men and women) to be? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… 4. What are your aspirations as a people? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5. What do you desire to be the state of your local economy? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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6. What do you want to be the role of PWD in economic development? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7. What do you dream to be the condition of your District Assembly’s natural

environment? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8. What do you desire from your local government? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9. What do you want to be the role of PWD in local governance? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

XI. EMPOWERMENT

1. Do you desire to undergo skills training? ( ) Yes ( ) No If YES, what kind of skills would you like to learn?: ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2. Do you have a desire to return to formal education? ( ) Yes ( ) No If NO, why?: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3. Are you involve in any income generating activity? ( ) Yes ( ) No If YES, please specify: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………… ADMINISTERED BY:

……………………………………………………. Date:………………………………………….......